Antisense oligomers and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are methods and compositions for increasing the expression of a protein, and for treating a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject with deficient protein expression or a subject having a disease described herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of: PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066414 filed Dec. 13, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,210 filed Dec. 14, 2015; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066705 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,212 filed Dec. 14, 2015; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066417 filed Dec. 13, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,252 filed Dec. 14, 2015; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066684 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,261 filed Dec. 14, 2015; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066721 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,256 filed Dec. 14, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,011 filed Apr. 6, 2016; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066691 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,259 filed Dec. 14, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/318,958 filed Apr. 6, 2016; PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066564 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,238 filed Dec. 14, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,015 filed Apr. 6, 2016; and PCT Application No. PCT/US2016/066576 filed Dec. 14, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/267,242 filed Dec. 14, 2015, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted in ASCII format via EFS-Web and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jun. 13, 2018 is named 47991_705_501_SL.txt and is 65,978,019 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alagille syndrome (ALGS), also known as arteriohepatic dysplasia, is a rare, debilitating, autosomal dominant, multisystem disorder (Tumpenny and Ellard, Eur. J. Hum. Gen. 2012, 20, 251-257). Patients suffer from liver damage caused by abnormalities in the bile ducts. Other effects include heart disease, vascular anomalies, skeletal anomalies, ophthalmic features, facial features, renal anomalies, growth retardation, and pancreatic insufficiency. The reported ALGS prevalence of 1:70,000 is thought to be an underestimate because of the variability and reduced penetrance of the condition.

Mutations of genes involved in Notch signaling have been reported to cause ALGS. Mutations in JAG1 cause ALGS type 1, while mutations in NOTCH2 cause ALGS type 2, which is less prevalent than ALGS type 1. JAG1 encodes JAG1 protein, a cell surface ligand for the Notch transmembrane receptors. Binding of JAG1 protein to the Notch receptors triggers a signaling cascade that results in transcription of genes involved in cell fate determination and differentiation.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a disorder characterized by growth of benign tumors in multiple organ systems (Au, K., et al., J. Child Neurol., 2004, 19: 699-709). Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, followed by renal disease. Patients can suffer from abnormalities of the brain that may include seizures, intellectual disability, and developmental delay, as well as abnormalities of the skin, lung, kidneys, and heart. The disorder affects as many as 25,000 to 40,000 individuals in the United States and about 1 to 2 million individuals worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of one in 6,000 newborns.

TSC is a genetic disorder with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, caused by inherited defects or de novo mutations that occur on two genes, TSC1 and TSC2. Only one of the genes needs to be affected for TSC to be present. The TSC1 gene, on chromosome 9, produces a protein called hamartin. The TSC2 gene, discovered in 1993, is on chromosome 16 and produces the protein tuberin. Scientists believe these proteins act in a complex as growth suppressors by inhibiting the activation of a master, evolutionarily conserved kinase called mTOR. Loss of regulation of mTOR occurs in cells lacking either hamartin or tuberin, and this leads to abnormal differentiation and development, and to the generation of enlarged cells, as are seen in TSC brain lesions.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), is one of the most common inherited renal cystic diseases, conditions characterized by the development of renal cysts and a variety of extrarenal manifestations (Torres and Harris, 2009, Kidney International (2009) 76, 149-168). Patients suffering from ADPKD generally develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by age 70, which ultimately requires interventions such as renal dialysis. The prevalence of ADPKD at birth is estimated to be between 1:400 and 1:1,000, affecting about 600,000 people in the US.

Mutations in either the PKD1 or PKD2 gene have been shown to manifest as ADPKD, with mutations in PKD2 being responsible for the late onset form of ADPKD. The PKD1 and PKD2 genes encode the PC-1 and PC-2 proteins, respectively. These proteins are believed to be essential to maintain the differentiated phenotype of the tubular epithelium (Tones and Harris, 2009).

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) describes a group of diseases that have similar clinical phenotypes and are associated with genetically heterogeneous causes. RP frequently manifests as a loss of night vision, and can progress to peripheral blindness, resulting in tunnel vision. As the disorder progresses, subjects may lose a significant portion of their photoreceptors before experiencing loss of visual acuity, and can eventually experience complete blindness. RP-associated genes PRPF3, PRPF8, PRPF31, and PAP1 are involved in the assembly of spliceosomes. Although the functional properties of several RP-associated genes have been extensively studied, genotype-phenotype correlations are incompletely understood. However, it is known that disease-causing mutations in the PRPF3, PRPF8, PRPF31 and PAP1 genes have a dominant pattern of inheritance (Berger et al., 2010, Progress in Retinal Eye Research 29, 335-375).

Certain diseases affecting central nervous system function are associated with a deficiency in the expression of a gene, and in turn, a deficiency in the gene product. Examples of gene products for which increased expression can provide benefit in central nervous system diseases or conditions include, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA and STX1B.

Certain diseases affecting eye function are associated with a deficiency in the expression of a gene, and in turn, a deficiency in the gene product. Examples of gene products for which increased expression can provide benefit in eye diseases or conditions include ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 and IDUA.

Liver disease is a debilitating and often fatal group of conditions with an estimated mortality rate of 80%. The liver is vital for many functions in the body including, but not limited to clearing the blood of harmful toxins, storing and releasing glucose, production of bile, storage of iron and aiding resistance to infections. Dysfunction of the liver ultimately leads to failure of other major organs and ultimately death. While liver transplantation can often prevent mortality, the odds of receiving a donor liver is typically low.

While there are a large number of diseases and conditions associated with the liver, a subset of liver diseases have been shown to proceed via a deficiency in the expression of a gene, and in turn, a deficiency in the gene product. Examples of gene products for which increased expression can provide benefit in liver diseases or conditions include AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5.

Kidney disease is a debilitating and potentially fatal group of conditions associated with the damaging of the kidneys. The kidney is vital for many functions in the body including, but not limited to cleansing of the blood by removing waste and excess fluid, maintaining the balance of salt and minerals in the blood, and regulation of blood pressure. Incidence of kidney disease often results in the buildup of fluid and waste products, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep and shortness of breath, and ultimately could lead to death. While kidney transplantation can often prevent mortality, the odds of receiving a donor kidney are typically low.

While there are a large number of diseases and conditions associated with the kidney, a subset of kidney diseases have been shown to proceed via a deficiency in the expression of a gene, and in turn, a deficiency in the gene prod, for example, CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 and PPARD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating Alagille syndrome, including antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a JAG1 retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA). The invention further provides compositions and methods for increasing production of mature JAG1 mRNA and, in turn, JAG1 protein, in cells of a subject in need thereof, for example, a subject that can benefit from increased production of JAG1 protein. The described methods may be used to treat subjects having Alagille Syndrome caused by a mutation(s) in the JAG1 gene, including missense, splicing, frameshift and nonsense mutations, as well as whole gene deletions that result in deficient JAG1 protein production. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to treat subjects having a muscular dystrophy, who can benefit from increased production of JAG1 protein.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating Alagille syndrome in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRN 6489362A comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a method of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is JAG1, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes JAG1 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, and increasing the expression of JAG1 protein in the cells. In some embodiments, the target protein is JAG1. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of JAG1 protein. In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a.iii., the second mutant allele is b.i. or b.ii., and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b.iii., the first mutant allele is a.i. or a.ii., and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a.i. or a.ii., and/or the second allele that is b.i. or b.ii. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to 300, +6 to 200, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −16 to −200, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 437-439. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 3-436. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Alagille syndrome or a muscular dystrophy. In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the JAG1 gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing JAG1 protein expression. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer as used in a method described above.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer described above and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering the pharmaceutical composition described above by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat Alagille syndrome in a subject in need thereof associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: (a) the deficient protein; or (b) a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: (a) the deficient RNA; or (b) a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject. In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with JAG1 protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of JAG1 protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the JAG1 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding JAG1 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding JAG1, and increasing the expression of JAG1 protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Alagille syndrome or a muscular dystrophy. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the JAG1 gene. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion is in a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs 437-439. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 3-436.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer of any of the compositions described above, and an excipient. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering the pharmaceutical composition by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript is a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 437-439. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 3-436. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of inducing processing of a deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed JAG1 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a tuberin protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of tuberin protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed JAG1 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of tuberin protein; and (d) translating the functional form of tuberin protein from the fully processed JAG1 mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient JAG1 mRNA transcript is a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of JAG1 protein comprising: administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating tuberous sclerosis complex, including antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a TSC2 retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA). The invention further provides compositions and methods for increasing production of mature TSC2 mRNA and, in turn, TSC2 protein, in cells of a subject in need thereof, for example, a subject that can benefit from increased production of TSC2 protein. The described methods may be used to treat subjects having tuberous sclerosis complex caused by mutations in the TSC2 gene, including missense, splicing, frameshift and nonsense mutations, as well as whole gene deletions that result in deficient tuberin protein production.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating tuberous sclerosis complex in a subject in need thereof, by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is tuberin, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes tuberin protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding tuberin protein, and increasing the expression of tuberin protein in the cells. In some embodiments, the target protein is tuberin. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of tuberin protein. In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has (a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and (b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a.iii., the second mutant allele is b.i. or b.ii., and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b.iii., the first mutant allele is a.i. or a.ii., and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a.i. or a.ii., and/or the second allele that is b.i. or b.ii. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +500, +6 to +495, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −500, −16 to −400, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 440. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 441-447. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5536-5544. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is tuberous sclerosis complex. In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the TSC2 gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing TSC2 protein expression. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a tuberin RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, and 496. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by topical application to the skin, pulmonary delivery to the lung, intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer as used in a method described above.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer described above, and an excipient. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering the pharmaceutical composition by topical application to the skin, pulmonary delivery to the lung, intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat tuberous sclerosis complex in a subject in need thereof, associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: (a) the deficient protein; or (b) a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: (a) the deficient RNA; or (b) a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject. In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with tuberin protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of tuberin protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the tuberin protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding tuberin protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the tuberin protein, and increasing the expression of tuberin protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is tuberous sclerosis complex. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the TSC2 gene. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 500, 400, 300, 200, or 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 440. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 441-447. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, said retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, said antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a tuberin RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5536-5544. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer described above, and an excipient. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering the pharmaceutical composition by topical application to the skin, pulmonary delivery to the lung, intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript is a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 440. In some embodiments, the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-8. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5536-5544. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of inducing processing of a deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed TSC2 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a tuberin protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of tuberin protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed TSC2 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of tuberin protein; and (d) translating the functional form of tuberin protein from the fully processed TSC2 mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient TSC2 mRNA transcript is a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of tuberin protein comprising: administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating Polycystic Kidney Disease in a subject in need thereof, by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject.

Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is PC-2, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes PC-2 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, and increasing the expression of PC-2 protein in the cells.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the target protein is PC-2. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PC-2 protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has (a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and (b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele (a)(iii), the second mutant allele is (b)(i) or (b)(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele (b)(iii), the first mutant allele is (a)(i) or (a)(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is (a)(i) or (a)(ii), and/or the second allele that is (b)(i) or (b)(ii). In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region −4e to −1,054e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; (b) the region +6 to +499 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; (c) the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron; or (d) the region +2e to +1,912e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the target protein is PC-2.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5546. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5545. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO: 5825. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region −204e to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron 5 or within the region −496 to +212e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in exon 5 within the region −204e to −4e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5587. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in retained intron 5 within the region +6 to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs:5588-5684. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in retained intron 5 within the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5685-5781. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in exon 6 within the region +2e to +212e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 238-280.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises at least one retained intron, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the at least one retained intron from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing PC-2 protein expression.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion is in a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are antisense oligomers as described in any of the aforementioned methods.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are antisense oligomers comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824.

Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the aforementioned antisense oligomers and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering any of the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat Polycystic Kidney Disease in a subject in need thereof, associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: (a) the deficient protein; or (b) a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: (c) the deficient RNA; or (d) a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with PC-2 protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of PC-2 protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the PC-2 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding PC-2 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein, and increasing the expression of PC-2 protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Polycystic Kidney Disease. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the PKD2 gene.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region −4e to −1,054e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; (b) the region +6 to +499 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; (c) the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron; or (d) the region +2e to +1,912e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the target protein is PC-2. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5546. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5545. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO: 5825. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region −204e to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron 5 or within the region −496 to +212e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in exon 5 within the region −204e to −4e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5587. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in retained intron 5 within the region +6 to +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs:5588-5684. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in retained intron 5 within the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5685-5781. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in exon 6 within the region +2e to +212e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5782-5824.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the aforementioned antisense oligomers and an excipient. Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript is a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5545. In some embodiments, the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5546. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within SEQ ID NO: 5825. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of inducing processing of a deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed PKD2 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a PC-2 protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a PC-2 protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed PKD2 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of PC-2 protein; and (d) translating the functional form of PC-2 protein from the fully processed PKD2 mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient PKD2 mRNA transcript is a PKD2 pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PC-2 protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating Retinitis Pigmentosa 18 (RP18) or Retinitis Pigmentosa 13 (RP13) in a subject in need thereof, by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject.

Also disclosed herein are methods of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is PRPF3 or PRPF8, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, and increasing the expression of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein in the cells.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, when the method is a method of treating RP18 the target protein is PRPF3. In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, when the method is a method of treating RP13 the target protein is PRPF8. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has (a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and (b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a(iii), the second mutant allele is b(i) or b(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b(iii), the first mutant allele is a(i) or a(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a(i) or a(ii), and/or the second allele that is b(i) or b(ii). In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +498 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +498 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the target protein is PRPF3. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the in the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 6272 or SEQ ID NO 6271. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5828. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5826.

In some embodiments, the target protein is PRPF8. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +156 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −156 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 6273. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5829. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5827.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 Table 6to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is the retained intron within the: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is RP18 or RP13. In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the PRPF3 gene or PRPF8 gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing protein expression. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are antisense oligomers as used in the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 5830-6270.

Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the aforementioned antisense oligomers and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering any of the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat RP18 or RP13 in a subject in need thereof, associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: the deficient protein; or a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the function RNA is: the deficient RNA; or a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, and increasing the expression of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the target protein PRPF3 is encoded by the sequence at NM_004698 or PRPF8 or encoded by the sequence at NM_006445. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is RP18 or RP13. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the PRPF3 or PRPF8 gene. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +498 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the target protein in PRPF3. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +498 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 6272 or SEQ ID NO 6271. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5828. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5826. In some embodiments, the target protein is PRPF8. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +156 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −156 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 6273. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5829. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 5827. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, n the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antisense oligomer of any of the aforementioned compositions and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof, by administering any of the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript is a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5826. In some embodiments, the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5828-5829. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6271-6272. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 5830-6148. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript is a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 5827. In some embodiments, the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5828-5829. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6273. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of inducing processing of a deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed PRPF3 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a PRPF3 protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a PRPF3 protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed PRPF3 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of PRPF3 protein; and (d) translating the functional form of PRPF3 protein from the fully processed PRPF3 mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient PRPF3 mRNA transcript is a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PRPF3 protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5830-6148.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of inducing processing of a deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed PRPF8 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a PRPF8 protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a PRPF8 protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed PRPF8 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of PRPF8 protein; and (d) translating the functional form of PRPF8 protein from the fully processed PRPF8 mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient PRPF8 mRNA transcript is a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PRPF8 protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6149-6270.

The invention provides compositions and methods for treating a central nervous system (CNS) disease or conditions, including antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding a gene product that is deficient in the central nervous system disease or condition. The invention further provides compositions and methods for increasing production of mature mRNA encoding a gene product, wherein either the gene product is deficient in a CNS disease or condition, or wherein increased expression of the gene product could provide benefit in a subject having a CNS disease or condition. Increasing the production of the mature mRNA results in increased production of the encoded protein in cells of a subject in need thereof, for example, any subject that can benefit from increased production of the gene product. The described methods may be used to treat subjects having a CNS disease or condition caused by a gene mutation(s), including missense, splicing, frameshift and nonsense mutations, as well as whole gene deletions that result in deficient protein production.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating a CNS disease in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the CNS disease is Familial hemiplegic migraine-2, Familial Basilar migraine, Alternating hemiplegia of childhood, Episodic ataxia type 2, Familial hemiplegic migraine, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, Mental retardation-23, 3p25 microdeletion syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Schizophrenia-15, Neurofibromatosis, type 2, Meningioma, NF2-related, Schwannomatosis 1, Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE, Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy, Pitt-hopkins syndrome, Smith-magenis syndrome, peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1a, Heimler syndrome-1, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter, Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, progressive myoclonic epilepsy 5, familial infantile convulsion with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, benign familial infantile seizuers-2, or generalized Epilepsy with febrile seizures plus type 9. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B expression by improving splicing efficiency of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B expression by improving splicing efficiency of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B expression by improving splicing efficiency of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B expression by improving splicing efficiency of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and increasing the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B expression by improving splicing efficiency of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B protein in the cells. In some embodiments, the target protein is ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. In some embodiments, the target protein is ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein. In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has (a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and (b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a(iii), the second mutant allele is b(i) or b(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b(iii), the first mutant allele is a(i) or a(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a(i) or a(ii), and/or the second allele that is b(i) or b(ii). In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +4000, +6 to +3000, +6 to +2000 or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −4000, −16 to −2000, −16 to −1000, −16 to −500 or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 6274-6292. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6293-6353. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 30624-30627, 30629-30651, 30653-30659, or 34788-34789. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Familial hemiplegic migraine-2, Familial Basilar migraine, Alternating hemiplegia of childhood, Episodic ataxia type 2, Familial hemiplegic migraine, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, Mental retardation-23, 3p25 microdeletion syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Schizophrenia-15, Neurofibromatosis, type 2, Meningioma, NF2-related, Schwannomatosis 1, Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE, Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy, Pitt-hopkins syndrome, Smith-magenis syndrome, peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1a, Heimler syndrome-1, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter, Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, progressive myoclonic epilepsy 5, familial infantile convulsion with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, benign familial infantile seizuers-2, or generalized Epilepsy with febrile seizures plus type 9. In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing protein expression. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

Described herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer as used in a method described above.

Described herein, in certain embodiments, is an antisense oligomer comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, and 29809-30623.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer described above, and an excipient. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering the pharmaceutical composition by intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat Familial hemiplegic migraine-2, Familial Basilar migraine, Alternating hemiplegia of childhood, Episodic ataxia type 2, Familial hemiplegic migraine, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, Mental retardation-23, 3p25 microdeletion syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Schizophrenia-15, Neurofibromatosis, type 2, Meningioma, NF2-related, Schwannomatosis 1, Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE, Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy, Pitt-hopkins syndrome, Smith-magenis syndrome, peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1a, Heimler syndrome-1, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter, Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, progressive myoclonic epilepsy 5, familial infantile convulsion with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, benign familial infantile seizuers-2, or generalized Epilepsy with febrile seizures plus type 9 in a subject in need thereof associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: (a) the deficient protein; or (b) a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: (a) the deficient RNA; or (b) a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject. In some embodiments, also described herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the target protein is ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. In some embodiments, the target protein is ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Familial hemiplegic migraine-2, Familial Basilar migraine, Alternating hemiplegia of childhood, Episodic ataxia type 2, Familial hemiplegic migraine, Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6, Mental retardation-23, 3p25 microdeletion syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Schizophrenia-15, Neurofibromatosis, type 2, Meningioma, NF2-related, Schwannomatosis 1, Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE, Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy, Pitt-hopkins syndrome, Smith-magenis syndrome, peroxisome biogenesis disorder 1a, Heimler syndrome-1, Metachromatic Leukodystrophy, Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter, Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6, early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, progressive myoclonic epilepsy 5, familial infantile convulsion with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, benign familial infantile seizuers-2, or generalized Epilepsy with febrile seizures plus type 9. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 6274-6292. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6293-6353. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, said retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, said antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a tuberin RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 30624-30627, 30629-30651, 30653-30659, or 34788-34789. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antisense oligomer of any of the compositions described above, and an excipient. In some embodiments, also described herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering the pharmaceutical composition by intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript is a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the deficient ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript is a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +4000 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −2000 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NOs: 6274-6292. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6293-6353. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 30624-30627, 30629-30651, 30653-30659, or 34788-34789. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of inducing processing of a mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a target protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the mRNA transcript, wherein the mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of the target protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of the target protein; and (d) translating the functional form of the target protein from the fully processed mRNA transcript; wherein the mRNA transcript is selected from ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, MFSD8, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the mRNA transcript is a RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the mRNA transcript is selected from ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the mRNA transcript is selected from ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, is a method of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of a target protein comprising: administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6354-8948, 8949-9575, 9576-9825, 9826-10067, 10068-10305, 10306-12684, 12685-14026, 14027-14237, 14238-14326, 14327-15605, 15606-15873, 15874-16076, 30660-34787, 19965-20033, 20034-22187, 22188-23203, 23204-29620, 29621-29808, or 29809-30623.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating an eye disease in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the eye disease is Retinitis pigmentosa-7, Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy, Fundus Albipunctatus, Retinitis pigmentosa 37, Aniridia, Coloboma of the optic nerve, Ocular coloboma, Foveal hypoplasia-1, Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, Cone-rod dystrophy-2, Leber congenital amaurosis-7, Retinitis Pigmentosa 30, Stargardt disease-1, Retinitis pigmentosa-19, Age-related macular degeneration-2, Cone-rod dystrophy-3, Primary open angle glaucoma, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3, Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement, Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis, Leber congenital amaurosis, Primary open angle glaucoma, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, Bothnia retinal dystrophy, Fundus albipunctatus, Retinitis punctata albescens, Leber congenital amaurosis 2, Retinitis pigmentosa 20, Leber congenital amaurosis 14, Retinitis pigmentosa, Eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all-trans retinal (e.g. STGD1), Leber congenital amaurosis13, Retinitis pigmentosa 44, Achromatopsia-2, Jet lag, Alstrom syndrome, Attenuated MPS-1 (Hurler-scheie syndrome and Scheie syndrome) or Bardet-biedl syndrome.

Also disclosed herein are methods of increasing expression of a target protein, wherein the target protein is ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA expression by improving splicing efficiency of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA, by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA expression by improving splicing efficiency of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA expression by improving splicing efficiency of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA expression by improving splicing efficiency of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and increasing the expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA expression by improving splicing efficiency of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in the cells, wherein the target protein is ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the target protein is ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA. In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject. In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele. In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has (a) a first mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and (b) a second mutant allele from which (i) the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, (ii) the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild type protein, or (iii) the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a(iii), the second mutant allele is b(i) or b(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b(iii), the first mutant allele is a(i) or a(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a(i) or a(ii), and/or the second allele that is b(i) or b(ii). In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +69 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −79 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the target protein is (a) ABCA4, (b) RPE65, (c) MYOC, (d) CNGA3, (e) MFSD8, (f) IDUA, (g) LRAT, (h) OPTN, (i) RGR, (j) TEAD1, (k) PAX6, (l) ROM1, (m) RDH5, (n) RDH12, (o) NR2E3, (p) RLBP1, (q) CTNS, (r) PER1, (s) FSCN2, (t) TCF4, (u) RDH8, (v) NXNL1, or (w) CRX. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 34873-35915, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 35916-36317, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 36318-37107, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37108-37559, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37560-38420, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 38421-39232, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 39233-41436, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 41437-42368, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 42369-43747, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43748-43952, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43953-49968, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 49969-50275, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50276-50991, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50992-51247, (o) any one of SEQ 5ID NOs 51248-52998, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 52999-53428, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 53429-54323, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54324-54634, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54634-55638, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 55639-59526, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59527-59662, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59663-25231, or (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 60020-61443. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of (a) SEQ ID NO 61463, SEQ ID NO, SEQ ID NO 61445, SEQ ID NO 61470, or SEQ ID NO 61453, (b) SEQ ID NO 61480 or SEQ ID NO 61460, (c) SEQ ID NO 61458 or SEQ ID NO 61485, (d) SEQ ID NO 61500, (e) SEQ ID NO 61492 or SEQ ID NO 61497, (f) SEQ ID NO 61457, SEQ ID NO 61468, SEQ ID NO 61489, SEQ ID NO 61444, or SEQ ID NO 61452, (g) SEQ ID NO 61474, (h) SEQ ID NO 61503, (i) SEQ ID NO 61446, SEQ ID NO 61476, or SEQ ID NO 61472, (j) SEQ ID NO 61461, (k) SEQ ID NO 61486, SEQ ID NO 61466, SEQ ID NO 61496, SEQ ID NO 61467, SEQ ID NO 61502, SEQ ID NO 61483, or SEQ ID NO 61448, (l) SEQ ID NO 61454, (m) SEQ ID NO 61493, SEQ ID NO 61455, SEQ ID NO 61498, or SEQ ID NO 61473, (n) SEQ ID NO 61482, (o) SEQ ID NO 61491, SEQ ID NO 61449, SEQ ID NO 61494, SEQ ID NO 61487, SEQ ID NO 61447, SEQ ID NO 61465, SEQ ID NO 61501 SEQ ID NO 61490, (p) SEQ ID NO 61462 or SEQ ID NO 61456, (q) SEQ ID NO 61479, or SEQ ID NO 61481, (r) SEQ ID NO 61471 or SEQ ID NO 61499, (s) SEQ ID NO 61459, SEQ ID NO 61451, or SEQ ID NO 61450, (t) SEQ ID NO 61477, or SEQ ID NO 61478, (u) SEQ ID NO 61469, (v) SEQ ID NO 61488, or (w) SEQ ID NO 61484, or SEQ ID NO 61475. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 34873-35915, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 35916-36317, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 36318-37107, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37108-37559, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37560-38420, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 38421-39232, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 39233-41436, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 41437-42368, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 42369-43747, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43748-43952, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43953-49968, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 49969-50275, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50276-50991, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50992-51247, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 51248-52998, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 52999-53427, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 53428-54323, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54324-54634, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54635-55638, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 55639-59526, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59527-59662, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59663-60020, or (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 60021-61443. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 34813, (b) SEQ ID NO 34814, (c) SEQ ID NO 34815, (d) SEQ ID NO 34816 or SEQ ID NO 34817, (e) SEQ ID NO 34818, (f) SEQ ID NO 34819 or SEQ ID NO 34820, (g) SEQ ID NO 34821 or SEQ ID NO 34822, (h) SEQ ID NO 34823, SEQ ID NO 34824, SEQ ID NO 34825, or SEQ ID NO 34826, (i) SEQ ID NO 34827, SEQ ID NO 34828, or SEQ ID NO 34829, (j) SEQ ID NO 34830, (k) SEQ ID NO 34831, SEQ ID NO 34832, SEQ ID NO 34833, SEQ ID NO 34834, SEQ ID NO 34835, SEQ ID NO 34836, SEQ ID NO 34837, SEQ ID NO 34838, SEQ ID NO 34839, SEQ ID NO 34840, or SEQ ID NO 34841, (l) SEQ ID NO 34842, (m) SEQ ID NO 34843 or SEQ ID NO 34844, (n) SEQ ID NO 34845, (o) SEQ ID NO 34846 or SEQ ID NO 34847, (p) SEQ ID NO 34848, (q) SEQ ID NO 34849 or SEQ ID NO 34850, (r) SEQ ID NO 34851, (s) SEQ ID NO 34852 or SEQ ID NO 34853, (t) SEQ ID NO 34854, SEQ ID NO 34855, SEQ ID NO 34856, SEQ ID NO 34857, SEQ ID NO 34858, SEQ ID NO 34859, SEQ ID NO 34860, SEQ ID NO 34861, SEQ ID NO 34862, SEQ ID NO 34863, SEQ ID NO 34864, SEQ ID NO 34865, SEQ ID NO 34866, SEQ ID NO 34867, SEQ ID NO 34868, or SEQ ID NO 34869, (u) SEQ ID NO 34870, (v) SEQ ID NO 34871, or (w) SEQ ID NO 34872. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 34790, (b) SEQ ID NO 34791, (c) SEQ ID NO 34792, (d) SEQ ID NO 34793, (e) SEQ ID NO 34794, (f) SEQ ID NO 34795, (g) SEQ ID NO 34796, (h) SEQ ID NO 34797, (i) SEQ ID NO 34798, (j) SEQ ID NO 34799, (k) SEQ ID NO 34800, (l) SEQ ID NO 34801, (m) SEQ ID NO 34802, (n) SEQ ID NO 34803, (o) SEQ ID NO 34804, (p) SEQ ID NO 34805, (q) SEQ ID NO 34806, (r) SEQ ID NO 34807, (s) SEQ ID NO 34808, (t) SEQ ID NO 34809, (u) SEQ ID NO 34810, (v) SEQ ID NO 34811, (w) SEQ ID NO 34812.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell. In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell.

In some embodiments, of any of the aforementioned methods, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs. In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Retinitis pigmentosa-7, Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy, Fundus Albipunctatus, Retinitis pigmentosa 37, Aniridia, Coloboma of the optic nerve, Ocular coloboma, Foveal hypoplasia-1, Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, Cone-rod dystrophy-2, Leber congenital amaurosis-7, Retinitis Pigmentosa 30, Stargardt disease-1, Retinitis pigmentosa-19, Age-related macular degeneration-2, Cone-rod dystrophy-3, Primary open angle glaucoma, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3, Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement, Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis, Leber congenital amaurosis, Primary open angle glaucoma, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, Bothnia retinal dystrophy, Fundus albipunctatus, Retinitis punctata albescens, Leber congenital amaurosis 2, Retinitis pigmentosa 20, Leber congenital amaurosis 14, Retinitis pigmentosa, Eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all-trans retinal (e.g. STGD1), Leber congenital amaurosis13, Retinitis pigmentosa 44, Achromatopsia-2, Jet lag, Alstrom syndrome, Attenuated MPS-1 (Hurler-scheie syndrome and Scheie syndrome) or Bardet-biedl syndrome. In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing protein expression. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal. In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject. In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are antisense oligomers as used in the methods described herein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 34873-61443.

Also disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising any of the aforementioned antisense oligomers and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof by administering any of the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat Retinitis pigmentosa-7, Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy, Fundus Albipunctatus, Retinitis pigmentosa 37, Aniridia, Coloboma of the optic nerve, Ocular coloboma, Foveal hypoplasia-1, Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, Cone-rod dystrophy-2, Leber congenital amaurosis-7, Retinitis Pigmentosa 30, Stargardt disease-1, Retinitis pigmentosa-19, Age-related macular degeneration-2, Cone-rod dystrophy-3, Primary open angle glaucoma, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3, Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement, Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis, Leber congenital amaurosis, Primary open angle glaucoma, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, Bothnia retinal dystrophy, Fundus albipunctatus, Retinitis punctata albescens, Leber congenital amaurosis 2, Retinitis pigmentosa 20, Leber congenital amaurosis 14, Retinitis pigmentosa, Eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all-trans retinal (e.g. STGD1), Leber congenital amaurosis13, Retinitis pigmentosa 44, Achromatopsia-2, Jet lag, Alstrom syndrome, Attenuated MPS-1 (Hurler-scheie syndrome and Scheie syndrome) or Bardet-biedl syndrome in a subject in need thereof associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: (a) the deficient protein; or (b) a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: (a) the deficient RNA; or (b) a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are compositions comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, in the cells of the subject. In some embodiments, the target protein is ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA. In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is Retinitis pigmentosa-7, Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy, Fundus Albipunctatus, Retinitis pigmentosa 37, Aniridia, Coloboma of the optic nerve, Ocular coloboma, Foveal hypoplasia-1, Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, Cone-rod dystrophy-2, Leber congenital amaurosis-7, Retinitis Pigmentosa 30, Stargardt disease-1, Retinitis pigmentosa-19, Age-related macular degeneration-2, Cone-rod dystrophy-3, Primary open angle glaucoma, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3, Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement, Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis, Leber congenital amaurosis, Primary open angle glaucoma, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, Bothnia retinal dystrophy, Fundus albipunctatus, Retinitis punctata albescens, Leber congenital amaurosis 2, Retinitis pigmentosa 20, Leber congenital amaurosis 14, Retinitis pigmentosa, Eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all-trans retinal (e.g. STGD1), Leber congenital amaurosis13, Retinitis pigmentosa 44, Achromatopsia-2, Jet lag, Alstrom syndrome, Attenuated MPS-1 (Hurler-scheie syndrome and Scheie syndrome) or Bardet-biedl syndrome. In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +69 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −79 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the target protein is (a) ABCA4, (b) RPE65, (c) MYOC, (d) CNGA3, (e) MFSD8, (f) IDUA, (g) LRAT, (h) OPTN, (i) RGR, (j) TEAD1, (k) PAX6, (l) ROM1, (m) RDH5, (n) RDH12, (o) NR2E3, (p) RLBP1, (q) CTNS, (r) PER1, (s) FSCN2, (t) TCF4, (u) RDH8, (v) NXNL1, or (w) CRX. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 34873-35915, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 35916-36317, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 36318-37107, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37108-37559, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37560-38420, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 38421-39232, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 39233-41436, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 41437-42368, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 42369-43747, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43748-43952, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43953-49968, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 49969-50275, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50276-50991, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50992-51247, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 51248-52998, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 52999-53427, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 53428-54323, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54324-54634, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54635-55638, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 55639-59526, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59527-59662, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59663-60020, or (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 60021-61443. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of (a) SEQ ID NO 61463, SEQ ID NO 61495, SEQ ID NO 26656, SEQ ID NO 61470, or SEQ ID NO 61453, (b) SEQ ID NO 61480, or SEQ ID NO 61460, (c) SEQ ID NO 61458 or SEQ ID NO 61485, (d) SEQ ID NO 61500, (e) SEQ ID NO 61492, or SEQ ID NO 61497, (f) SEQ ID NO 61457, SEQ ID NO 61468, SEQ ID NO 61489, SEQ ID NO 61444, or SEQ ID NO 61452, (g) SEQ ID NO 61474, (h) SEQ ID NO 61503, (i) SEQ ID NO 61446, SEQ ID NO 61476, or SEQ ID NO 61472, (j) SEQ ID NO 61461, (k) SEQ ID NO 61486, SEQ ID NO 61466, SEQ ID NO 61496, SEQ ID NO 61467, SEQ ID NO 61502, SEQ ID NO 61483, or SEQ ID NO 61448, (l) SEQ ID NO 61454, (m) SEQ ID NO 61493, SEQ ID NO 61455, SEQ ID NO 61498, or SEQ ID NO 61473, (n) SEQ ID NO 61482, (o) SEQ ID NO 61491, SEQ ID NO 61449, SEQ ID NO 61494, SEQ ID NO 61487, SEQ ID NO 61447, SEQ ID NO 61465, SEQ ID NO 61501, or SEQ ID NO 61490, (p) SEQ ID NO 61462, or SEQ ID NO 61456, (q) SEQ ID NO 61479 or SEQ ID NO 61481, (r) SEQ ID NO 61471 or SEQ ID NO 61499, (s) SEQ ID NO 61459, SEQ ID NO 61451, or SEQ ID NO 61450, (t) SEQ ID NO 61477 or SEQ ID NO 61478, (u) SEQ ID NO 61469, (v) SEQ ID NO 61488, or (w) SEQ ID NO 61484 or SEQ ID NO 61475. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 34873-35915, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 35916-36317, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 36318-37107, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37108-37559, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 37560-38420, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 38421-39232, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 39233-41436, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 41437-42368, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 42369-43747, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43748-43952, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 43953-49968, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 49969-50275, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50276-50991, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 50992-51247, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 51248-52998, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 52999-53427, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 53428-54323, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54324-54634, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 54635-55638, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 55639-59526, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59527-59662, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 59663-60020, or (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 60021-61443. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 34813, (b) SEQ ID NO 34814, (c) SEQ ID NO 34815, (d) SEQ ID NO 34816 or SEQ ID NO 34817, (e) SEQ ID NO 34818, (f) SEQ ID NO 34819 or SEQ ID NO 34820, (g) SEQ ID NO 34821 or SEQ ID NO 34822, (h) SEQ ID NO 34823, SEQ ID NO 34824, SEQ ID NO 34825, or SEQ ID NO 34826, (i) SEQ ID NO 34827, SEQ ID NO 34828, or SEQ ID NO 34829, (j) SEQ ID NO 34830, (k) SEQ ID NO 34831, SEQ ID NO 34832, SEQ ID NO 34833, SEQ ID NO 34834, SEQ ID NO 34835, SEQ ID NO 34836, SEQ ID NO 34837, SEQ ID NO 34838, SEQ ID NO 34839, SEQ ID NO 34840, or SEQ ID NO 34841, (l) SEQ ID NO 34842, (m) SEQ ID NO 34843 or SEQ ID NO 34844, (n) SEQ ID NO 34845, (o) SEQ ID NO 34846 or SEQ ID NO 34847, (p) SEQ ID NO 34848, (q) SEQ ID NO 34849 or SEQ ID NO 34850, (r) SEQ ID NO 34851, (s) SEQ ID NO 34852 or SEQ ID NO 34853, (t) SEQ ID NO 34854, SEQ ID NO 34855, SEQ ID NO 34856, SEQ ID NO 34857, SEQ ID NO 34858, SEQ ID NO 34859, SEQ ID NO 34860, SEQ ID NO 34861, SEQ ID NO 34862, SEQ ID NO 34863, SEQ ID NO 34864, SEQ ID NO 34865, SEQ ID NO 34866, SEQ ID NO 34867, SEQ ID NO 34868, or SEQ ID NO 34869, (u) SEQ ID NO 34870, (v) SEQ ID NO 34871, or (w) SEQ ID NO 34872. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 34790, (b) SEQ ID NO 34791, (c) SEQ ID NO 34792, (d) SEQ ID NO 34793, (e) SEQ ID NO 34794, (f) SEQ ID NO 34795, (g) SEQ ID NO 34796, (h) SEQ ID NO 34797, (i) SEQ ID NO 34798, (j) SEQ ID NO 34799, (k) SEQ ID NO 34800, (l) SEQ ID NO 34801, (m) SEQ ID NO 34802, (n) SEQ ID NO 34803, (o) SEQ ID NO 34804, (p) SEQ ID NO 34805, (q) SEQ ID NO 34806, (r) SEQ ID NO 34807, (s) SEQ ID NO 34808, (t) SEQ ID NO 34809, (u) SEQ ID NO 34810, (v) SEQ ID NO 34811, (w) SEQ ID NO 34812. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: (a) the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: (a) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (b) the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA. In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein. In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antisense oligomer of any of the aforementioned compositions and an excipient.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject in need thereof by administering any of the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient. In some embodiments, the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 34790-34812. In some embodiments, the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 34813-34872. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 61443-61503. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 34873-61443. In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 34873-61443. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of inducing processing of a deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, the method comprising: (a) contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; (b) hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein and comprises at least one retained intron; (c) removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein; and (d) translating the functional form of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein from the fully processed ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron. In some embodiments, the deficient ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA transcript is a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

Disclosed herein, in some embodiments, are methods of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 34873-61443.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a liver disease in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject.

In some embodiments, the liver disease is glycine encephalopathy, Zellweger syndrome, Heimler syndrome, Adenosine Deaminase deficiency, porphyria variegate, porphyria cutanea tarda, acute intermittent porphyria, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, isovaleric academia, hyperchylomicronemia, hypertriglyceridemia, galactosemia, hypercholesterolemia, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 20, Falconi renotubular syndrome 4 with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, hyperinsulemic hypoglycemia familial 3, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, hepatic adenoma, Dowling-Degos disease 4, SHORT syndrome, immunodeficiency 36, agammaglobulinemia 7, lipid metabolism deficiency, liver inflammation, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombocytopenia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, tyrosinemia type I, argininosuccinate lyase deficiency, hemochromatosis type I, Alstrom syndrome, congenital bile acid synthesis defect 1, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type II diabetes or liver cancer.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of increasing expression of a target protein by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein, and increasing the expression of the target protein in the cells, wherein the target protein is aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5.

In some embodiments, the target protein is aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5.

In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject.

In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the target protein.

In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele.

In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first mutant allele from which the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or the target protein is not produced, and a second mutant allele from which the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a(iii), the second mutant allele is b(i) or b(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b(iii), the first mutant allele is a(i) or a(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a(i) or a(ii), and/or the second allele that is b(i) or b(ii)

In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +69 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −79 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 500 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 500 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron.

In some embodiments, the target protein is (a) AMT, (b) ADA, (c) PPOX, (d) UROD, (e) HMBS, (f) ACADVL, (g) PC, (h) IVD, (i) APOA5, (j) GALT, (k) LDLRAP1, (l) HNF4A, (m) GCK, (n) POGLUT1, (o) PIK3R1, (p) HNF1A, (q) TRIB1, (r) TGFB1, (s) HAMP, (t) THPO, (u) PNPLA3, (v) ATP7B, (w) FAH, (x) ASL, (y) HFE, (z) ALMS1, (aa) PPARD, (bb) IL6, (cc) HSD3B7, (dd) CERS2, or (ee) NCOA5.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% complimentary to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64316-65413, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 127350-128784, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63403-64102, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 62429-63282, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 98986-99547, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 110926-111472, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97403-97795, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 106129-108516, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97796-98985, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 96024-97402, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 61634-62428, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 120461-127349 or 129035-138877, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 86561-92479, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 65414-66767, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 75976-76379, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 99548-103608, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 93972-96023, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113475-113528, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113173-113474, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 66768-75975, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 138878-139851, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 103609-105873, (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 105874-106128, (x) any one of SEQ ID NOs 92480-93971, (y) any one of SEQ ID NOs 83313-84988, (z) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64103-64315, (aa) any one of SEQ ID NOs 76380-83312, (bb) any one of SEQ ID NOs 84989-86560, (cc) any one of SEQ ID NOs 108517-110925, (dd) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63283-63402, or any one of SEQ ID NOs 128785-129034.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of (a) SEQ ID NO 139986, 139968 or 139937; (b) SEQ ID NO 139888, 139985 or 139872; (c) SEQ ID NO 139964, 139976, 139983 or 139924; (d) SEQ ID NO 139913, 139889, 139914, 139963 or 139966; (e) SEQ ID NO 139858, 139970 or 139957; (0 SEQ ID NO 139870, 139879, 139943, 139951, 139980, 139988, 139999, 139925 or 139915; (g) SEQ ID NO 139998, (h) SEQ ID NO 139967, 139878 or 139883; (i) SEQ ID NO 139910, 140002, 139923, 139875 or 139900; (j) SEQ ID NO 139992, 139919, 139919, 139855, 139938, 139996, 139926, 139940 or 139952; (k) SEQ ID NO 139857 or 139962; (l) SEQ ID NO 139944, 139895, 139959, 139931, 139994, 140004, 139863, 139932, 139861, 139867, 139978, 139894, 139982, 139904, 139876 or 139953; (m) SEQ ID NO 139948, 139984, 139882, 139934, 139972, 139911, 139880, 139920, 139890, 139958, 139987 or 139873; (n) SEQ ID NO 61503, 139853, 139935, 139942 or 139892; (o) SEQ ID NO 139893 or SEQ ID NO 139921, (p) SEQ ID NO 139965, 139971, 139956, 139864, 139866, 139936, 139941, 139933, 139991, 139908, 139995 or 139930; (q) SEQ ID NO 139990, 139989 or 139989; (r) SEQ ID NO 139961, (s) SEQ ID NO 140000 or 139929; (t) SEQ ID NO 139928, 139903, 139896, 139854, 139884, 139869, 139960, 139946, 139865 or 139949; (u) SEQ ID NO 139891, 139905, 139974 or 139859; (v) SEQ ID NO 139930, 139886, 139947 or 139897; (w) SEQ ID NO 139885; (x) SEQ ID NO 139997, 139907, 139874, 139868 or 139856; (y) SEQ ID NO 139922, 139887, 140003, 139927 or 139969; (z) SEQ ID NO 139902, (aa) SEQ ID NO 139917, 139981, 139975, 139862, 139898, 139860, 139877 or 139993; (bb) SEQ ID NO 139939, 139916, 139918, or 139906; (cc) SEQ ID NO 139852, 139973, 140001, 139909, 139945, 139954, 139899, 139912 or 139881; (dd) SEQ ID NO 139950; or SEQ ID NO 139955.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, or 100% sequence identity to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64316-65413, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 127350-128784, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63403-64102, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 62429-63282, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 98986-99547, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 110926-111472, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97403-97795, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 106129-108516, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97796-98985, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 96024-97402, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 61634-62428, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 120461-127349 or 129035-138877, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 86561-92479, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 65414-66767, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 75976-76379, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 99548-103608, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 93972-96023, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113475-113528, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113173-113474, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 66768-75975, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 138878-139851, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 103609-105873, (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 105874-106128, (x) any one of SEQ ID NOs 92480-93971, (y) any one of SEQ ID NOs 83313-84988, (z) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64103-64315, (aa) any one of SEQ ID NOs 76380-83312, (bb) any one of SEQ ID NOs 84989-86560, (cc) any one of SEQ ID NOs 108517-110925, (dd) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63283-63402, or any one of SEQ ID NOs 128785-129034.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of (a) SEQ ID NOs 61544-61547, (b) SEQ ID NOs 61531, 61624-61627, (c) SEQ ID NOs 61540 or 61541, (d) SEQ ID NOs 61536 or 61537, (e) SEQ ID NOs 61595-61598, (f) SEQ ID NOs 61612-61615, (g) SEQ ID NOs 61590-61592, (h) SEQ ID NOs 61607 or 61608, (i) SEQ ID NOs 61593 or 61594, (j) SEQ ID NOs 61588 or 61589, (k) SEQ ID NO 61535, (l) SEQ ID NOs 61618-61623 or 61629-61632, (m) SEQ ID NOs 61579-61581, (n) SEQ ID NOs 61548 or 61549, (o) SEQ ID NOs 61560-61563, (p) SEQ ID NOs 61599 or 61600, (q) SEQ ID NOs 61586 or 61587, (r) SEQ ID NO 61617, (s) SEQ ID NO 61726, (t) SEQ ID NOs 61550-61559, (u) SEQ ID NO 61633, (v) SEQ ID NOs 61601-61605, (w) SEQ ID NO 61606, (x) SEQ ID NOs 61583-61585, (y) SEQ ID NOs 61569-61576, (z) SEQ ID NO 61542, (aa) SEQ ID NOs 61564-61568, (bb) SEQ ID NOs 61577 or 61578, (cc) SEQ ID NOs 61609-61611, (dd) SEQ ID NOs 61538 or 61539, or SEQ ID NO 61628.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 61509, (b) SEQ ID NO 61531, (c) SEQ ID NO 61507, (d) SEQ ID NO 61505, (e) SEQ ID NO 61522, (f) SEQ ID NO 61528, (g) SEQ ID NO 61520, (h) SEQ ID NO 61526, (i) SEQ ID NO 61521, (j) SEQ ID NO 61519, (k) SEQ ID NO 61504, (l) SEQ ID NO 61533, (m) SEQ ID NO 61516, (n) SEQ ID NO 61510, (o) SEQ ID NO 61512, (p) SEQ ID NO 61523, (q) SEQ ID NO 61518, (r) SEQ ID NO 61530, (s) SEQ ID NO 61529, (t) SEQ ID NO 61511, (u) SEQ ID NO 61534, (v) SEQ ID NO 61524, (w) SEQ ID NO 61525, (x) SEQ ID NO 61517, (y) SEQ ID NO 61514, (z) SEQ ID NO 61508, (aa) SEQ ID NO 61513, (bb) SEQ ID NO 61515, (cc) SEQ ID NO 61527, (dd) SEQ ID NO 61506, or (ee) SEQ ID NO 61532.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA.

In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell.

In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs.

In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs.

In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder.

In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is a liver disease.

In some embodiments, the liver disease is glycine encephalopathy, Zellweger syndrome, Heimler syndrome, Adenosine Deaminase deficiency, porphyria variegate, porphyria cutanea tarda, acute intermittent porphyria, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, isovaleric academia, hyperchylomicronemia, hypertriglyceridemia, galactosemia, hypercholesterolemia, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 20, Falconi renotubular syndrome 4 with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, hyperinsulemic hypoglycemia familial 3, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, hepatic adenoma, Dowling-Degos disease 4, SHORT syndrome, immunodeficiency 36, agammaglobulinemia 7, lipid metabolism deficiency, liver inflammation, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombocytopenia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, tyrosinemia type I, argininosuccinate lyase deficiency, hemochromatosis type I, Alstrom syndrome, congenital bile acid synthesis defect 1, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type II diabetes or liver cancer.

In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by a gene, wherein the gene is AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing protein expression.

In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal.

In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child.

In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject.

In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

In one aspect, provided herein is an antisense oligomer as used in a method described herein.

In one aspect, provided herein is an antisense oligomer comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 61634-139851.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense oligomer described herein and an excipient.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering a pharmaceutical composition described herein by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat a liver disease in a subject in need thereof associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: the deficient protein; or a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: the deficient RNA; or a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject.

In some embodiments, the liver disease is glycine encephalopathy, Zellweger syndrome, Heimler syndrome, Adenosine Deaminase deficiency, porphyria variegate, porphyria cutanea tarda, acute intermittent porphyria, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, isovaleric academia, hyperchylomicronemia, hypertriglyceridemia, galactosemia, hypercholesterolemia, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 20, Falconi renotubular syndrome 4 with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, hyperinsulemic hypoglycemia familial 3, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, hepatic adenoma, Dowling-Degos disease 4, SHORT syndrome, immunodeficiency 36, agammaglobulinemia 7, lipid metabolism deficiency, liver inflammation, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombocytopenia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, tyrosinemia type I, argininosuccinate lyase deficiency, hemochromatosis type I, Alstrom syndrome, congenital bile acid synthesis defect 1, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type II diabetes or liver cancer.

In one aspect, provided herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with a target protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of the target protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding the target protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein, in the cells of the subject.

In some embodiments, the target protein is aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5.

In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder.

In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is a liver disease.

In some embodiments, the liver disease is glycine encephalopathy, Zellweger syndrome, Heimler syndrome, Adenosine Deaminase deficiency, porphyria variegate, porphyria cutanea tarda, acute intermittent porphyria, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, isovaleric academia, hyperchylomicronemia, hypertriglyceridemia, galactosemia, hypercholesterolemia, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 20, Falconi renotubular syndrome 4 with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, hyperinsulemic hypoglycemia familial 3, permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, hepatic adenoma, Dowling-Degos disease 4, SHORT syndrome, immunodeficiency 36, agammaglobulinemia 7, lipid metabolism deficiency, liver inflammation, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombocytopenia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, tyrosinemia type I, argininosuccinate lyase deficiency, hemochromatosis type I, Alstrom syndrome, congenital bile acid synthesis defect 1, steatohepatitis, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, type II diabetes or liver cancer.

In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by a gene, wherein the gene is AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 500 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 500 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the target protein is (a) AMT, (b) ADA, (c) PPOX, (d) UROD, (e) HMBS, (f) ACADVL, (g) PC, (h) IVD, (i) APOA5, (j) GALT, (k) LDLRAP1, (l) HNF4A, (m) GCK, (n) POGLUT1, (o) PIK3R1, (p) HNF1A, (q) TRIB1, (r) TGFB1, (s) HAMP, (t) THPO, (u) PNPLA3, (v) ATP7B, (w) FAH, (x) ASL, (y) HFE, (z) ALMS1, (aa) PPARD, (bb) IL6, (cc) HSD3B7, (dd) CERS2, or (ee) NCOA5.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64316-65413, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 127350-128784, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63403-64102, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 62429-63282, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 98986-99547, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 110926-111472, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97403-97795, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 106129-108516, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97796-98985, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 96024-97402, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 61634-62428, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 120461-127349 or 129035-138877, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 86561-92479, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 65414-66767, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 75976-76379, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 99548-103608, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 93972-96023, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113475-113528, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113173-113474, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 66768-75975, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 138878-139851, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 103609-105873, (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 105874-106128, (x) any one of SEQ ID NOs 92480-93971, (y) any one of SEQ ID NOs 83313-84988, (z) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64103-64315, (aa) any one of SEQ ID NOs 76380-83312, (bb) any one of SEQ ID NOs 84989-86560, (cc) any one of SEQ ID NOs 108517-110925, (dd) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63283-63402, or any one of SEQ ID NOs 128785-129034.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of (a) SEQ ID NO 139986, 139968 or 139937; (b) SEQ ID NO 139888, 139985 or 139872; (c) SEQ ID NO 139964, 139976, 139983 or 139924; (d) SEQ ID NO 139913, 139889, 139914, 139963 or 139966; (e) SEQ ID NO 139858, 139970 or 139957; (f) SEQ ID NO 139870, 139879, 139943, 139951, 139980, 139988, 139999, 139925 or 139915; (g) SEQ ID NO 139998, (h) SEQ ID NO 139967, 139878 or 139883; (i) SEQ ID NO 139910, 140002, 139923, 139875 or 139900; (j) SEQ ID NO 139992, 139919, 139919, 139855, 139938, 139996, 139926, 139940 or 139952; (k) SEQ ID NO 139857 or 139962; (l) SEQ ID NO 139944, 139895, 139959, 139931, 139994, 140004, 139863, 139932, 139861, 139867, 139978, 139894, 139982, 139904, 139876 or 139953; (m) SEQ ID NO 139948, 139984, 139882, 139934, 139972, 139911, 139880, 139920, 139890, 139958, 139987 or 139873; (n) SEQ ID NO 61503, 139853, 139935, 139942 or 139892; (o) SEQ ID NO 139893 or SEQ ID NO 139921, (p) SEQ ID NO 139965, 139971, 139956, 139864, 139866, 139936, 139941, 139933, 139991, 139908, 139995 or 139930; (q) SEQ ID NO 139990, 139989 or 139989; (r) SEQ ID NO 139961, (s) SEQ ID NO 140000 or 139929; (t) SEQ ID NO 139928, 139903, 139896, 139854, 139884, 139869, 139960, 139946, 139865 or 139949; (u) SEQ ID NO 139891, 139905, 139974 or 139859; (v) SEQ ID NO 139930, 139886, 139947 or 139897; (w) SEQ ID NO 139885; (x) SEQ ID NO 139997, 139907, 139874, 139868 or 139856; (y) SEQ ID NO 139922, 139887, 140003, 139927 or 139969; (z) SEQ ID NO 139902, (aa) SEQ ID NO 139917, 139981, 139975, 139862, 139898, 139860, 139877 or 139993; (bb) SEQ ID NO 139939, 139916, 139918, 139901 or 139906; (cc) SEQ ID NO 139852, 139973, 140001, 139909, 139945, 139954, 139899, 139912 or 139881; (dd) SEQ ID NO 139950; or SEQ ID NO 139955.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to (a) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64316-65413, (b) any one of SEQ ID NOs 127350-128784, (c) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63403-64102, (d) any one of SEQ ID NOs 62429-63282, (e) any one of SEQ ID NOs 98986-99547, (f) any one of SEQ ID NOs 110926-111472, (g) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97403-97795, (h) any one of SEQ ID NOs 106129-108516, (i) any one of SEQ ID NOs 97796-98985, (j) any one of SEQ ID NOs 96024-97402, (k) any one of SEQ ID NOs 61634-62428, (l) any one of SEQ ID NOs 120461-127349 or 129035-138877, (m) any one of SEQ ID NOs 86561-92479, (n) any one of SEQ ID NOs 65414-66767, (o) any one of SEQ ID NOs 75976-76379, (p) any one of SEQ ID NOs 99548-103608, (q) any one of SEQ ID NOs 93972-96023, (r) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113475-113528, (s) any one of SEQ ID NOs 113173-113474, (t) any one of SEQ ID NOs 66768-75975, (u) any one of SEQ ID NOs 138878-139851, (v) any one of SEQ ID NOs 103609-105873, (w) any one of SEQ ID NOs 105874-106128, (x) any one of SEQ ID NOs 92480-93971, (y) any one of SEQ ID NOs 83313-84988, (z) any one of SEQ ID NOs 64103-64315, (aa) any one of SEQ ID NOs 76380-83312, (bb) any one of SEQ ID NOs 84989-86560, (cc) any one of SEQ ID NOs 108517-110925, (dd) any one of SEQ ID NOs 63283-63402, or any one of SEQ ID NOs 128785-129034.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of (a) SEQ ID NOs 6154441-6154744, (b) SEQ ID NOs 6153128, 61624121-61627124, (c) SEQ ID NOs 6154037 or 6154138, (d) SEQ ID NOs 6153633 or 6153734, (e) SEQ ID NOs 6159592-6159895, (f) SEQ ID NOs 61612109-61615112, (g) SEQ ID NOs 6159087-6159289, (h) SEQ ID NOs 61607104 or 61608105, (i) SEQ ID NOs 6159390 or 6159491, (j) SEQ ID NOs 6158885 or 6158986, (k) SEQ ID NO 6153532, (l) SEQ ID NOs 61618115-61623120 or 61629126-61632129, (m) SEQ ID NOs 6157976-6158178, (n) SEQ ID NOs 6154845 or 6154946, (o) SEQ ID NOs 6156057-6156360, (p) SEQ ID NOs 6159996 or 6160097, (q) SEQ ID NOs 6158683 or 6158784, (r) SEQ ID NO 61617114, (s) SEQ ID NO 61726223, (t) SEQ ID NOs 6155047-6155956, (u) SEQ ID NO 61633130, (v) SEQ ID NOs 6160198-61605102, (w) SEQ ID NO 61606103, (x) SEQ ID NOs 6158380-6158582, (y) SEQ ID NOs 6156966-6157673, (z) SEQ ID NO 6154239, (aa) SEQ ID NOs 6156461-6156865, (bb) SEQ ID NOs 6157774 or 6157875, (cc) SEQ ID NOs 61609106-61611108, (dd) SEQ ID NOs 6153835 or 6153936, or SEQ ID NO 61628125.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to (a) SEQ ID NO 61509, (b) SEQ ID NO 61531, (c) SEQ ID NO 61507, (d) SEQ ID NO 61505, (e) SEQ ID NO 61522, (f) SEQ ID NO 61528, (g) SEQ ID NO 61520, (h) SEQ ID NO 61526, (i) SEQ ID NO 61521, (j) SEQ ID NO 61519, (k) SEQ ID NO 61504, (l) SEQ ID NO 61533, (m) SEQ ID NO 61516, (n) SEQ ID NO 61510, (o) SEQ ID NO 61512, (p) SEQ ID NO 61523, (q) SEQ ID NO 61518, (r) SEQ ID NO 61530, (s) SEQ ID NO 61529, (t) SEQ ID NO 61511, (u) SEQ ID NO 61534, (v) SEQ ID NO 61524, (w) SEQ ID NO 61525, (x) SEQ ID NO 61517, (y) SEQ ID NO 61514, (z) SEQ ID NO 61508, (aa) SEQ ID NO 61513, (bb) SEQ ID NO 61515, (cc) SEQ ID NO 61527, (dd) SEQ ID NO 61506, or (ee) SEQ ID NO 61532.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA.

In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron.

In some embodiments, said retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, said antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense oligomer of any of the compositions described herein, and an excipient.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering a pharmaceutical composition described herein by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient.

In some embodiments, the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript is a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61504-61534.

In some embodiments, the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61535-61633.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 139852-140004.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61634-139851.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 61634-139851.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of inducing processing of a deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein, the method comprising: contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein and comprises at least one retained intron; removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein; and translating the functional form of AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein from the fully processed AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron.

In some embodiments, the deficient AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA transcript is a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61634-139851.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a kidney disease in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression of a target protein or functional RNA by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein or functional RNA, the method comprising contacting the cells of the subject with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject.

In some embodiments, the kidney disease is infantile nephropathic cystinosis, late-onset cystinosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 7, Papillorenal syndrome, or infantile hypercalcemia.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of increasing expression of a target protein by cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA), the RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein, and increasing the expression of the target protein in the cells, wherein the target protein is cystinosin, protein paired box gene 2 protein, protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1, or peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta.

In some embodiments, the target protein is cystinosin, protein paired box gene 2 protein, protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1, or peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta.

In some embodiments, the target protein or the functional RNA is a compensating protein or a compensating functional RNA that functionally augments or replaces a target protein or functional RNA that is deficient in amount or activity in the subject.

In some embodiments, the cells are in or from a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the target protein.

In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the target protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first allele encoding a functional target protein, and a second allele from which the target protein is not produced, or a second allele encoding a nonfunctional target protein, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele.

In some embodiments, the subject has a condition caused by a disorder resulting from a deficiency in the amount or function of the target protein, wherein the subject has a first mutant allele from which the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or the target protein is not produced, and a second mutant allele from which the target protein is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or the target protein is not produced, and wherein when the subject has a first mutant allele a(iii), the second mutant allele is b(i) or b(ii), and wherein when the subject has a second mutant allele b(iii), the first mutant allele is a(i) or a(ii), and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from either the first mutant allele that is a(i) or a(ii), and/or the second allele that is b(i)(ii) or b(ii).

In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the target protein is produced in a form that is fully-functional compared to the equivalent wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +69 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −79 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the target protein is cystinosin.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 148628-150072.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150752 or SEQ ID NO 150738.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 148628-150072.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140020 or SEQ ID NO 140021.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140007.

In some embodiments, the target protein is paired box gene 2 protein.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 146957-148627.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150742 or SEQ ID NO 150744.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 146957-148627.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140014-140019.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140006.

In some embodiments, the target protein is protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 149524-150737.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150752, SEQ ID NO 150738, SEQ ID NO 150750, SEQ ID NO 150749 or SEQ ID NO 150745.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 149524-150737.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140020-140023.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140008.

In some embodiments, the target protein is peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150740, SEQ ID NO 150751, SEQ ID NO 150743, SEQ ID NO 150747, SEQ ID NO 150746, SEQ ID NO 150741, SEQ ID NO 150739, or SEQ ID NO 150748.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140009-140013.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140005.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the functional RNA or target protein.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the target protein or the functional RNA by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or the functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA or partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA.

In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA produced in a control cell.

In some embodiments, the total amount of target protein produced by the cell contacted with the antisense oligomer is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the total amount of target protein produced by a control cell.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100%, complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs.

In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the cell comprises a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns, and wherein the antisense oligomer binds to the second most abundant retained intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs.

In some embodiments, the binding of the antisense oligomer to the second most abundant retained intron induces splicing out of the two or more retained introns from the population of RIC pre-mRNAs to produce mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder.

In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is a kidney disease.

In some embodiments, the kidney disease is infantile nephropathic cystinosis, late-onset cystinosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 7, Papillorenal syndrome, or infantile hypercalcemia.

In some embodiments, the target protein and the RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by a gene, wherein the gene is CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises assessing protein expression.

In some embodiments, the subject is a human.

In some embodiments, the subject is a non-human animal.

In some embodiments, the subject is a fetus, an embryo, or a child.

In some embodiments, the cells are ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is administered by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection of the subject.

In some embodiments, the 9 nucleotides at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron, are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

In some embodiments, the 16 nucleotides at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site are identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence.

In one aspect, provided herein is an antisense oligomer as used in a method described herein.

In one aspect, provided herein is an antisense oligomer comprising a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140024-150737.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense oligomer described herein and an excipient.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering a pharmaceutical composition disclosed herein by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of increasing expression of a target protein or a functional RNA by cells to treat a kidney disease in a subject in need thereof associated with a deficient protein or deficient functional RNA, wherein the deficient protein or deficient functional RNA is deficient in amount or activity in the subject, wherein the antisense oligomer enhances constitutive splicing of a retained intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, wherein the target protein is: the deficient protein; or a compensating protein which functionally augments or replaces the deficient protein or in the subject; and wherein the functional RNA is: the deficient RNA; or a compensating functional RNA which functionally augments or replaces the deficient functional RNA in the subject; wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, and wherein the retained intron is spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein or the functional RNA, thereby increasing production or activity of the target protein or the functional RNA in the subject.

In some embodiments, the kidney disease is infantile nephropathic cystinosis, late-onset cystinosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 7, Papillorenal syndrome, or infantile hypercalcemia.

In one aspect, provided herein is a composition comprising an antisense oligomer for use in a method of treating a condition associated with a target protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of increasing expression of the target protein by cells of the subject, wherein the cells have a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) comprising a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the RIC pre-mRNA encodes the target protein, the method comprising contacting the cells with the antisense oligomer, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA transcripts encoding the target protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA, and increasing the expression of the target protein, in the cells of the subject.

In some embodiments, the target protein is cystinosin, protein paired box gene 2 protein, protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1, or peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta.

In some embodiments, the condition is a disease or disorder.

In some embodiments, the disease or disorder is a kidney disease.

In some embodiments, the kidney disease is infantile nephropathic cystinosis, late-onset cystinosis, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 7, Papillorenal syndrome, or infantile hypercalcemia.

In some embodiments, the target protein and RIC pre-mRNA are encoded by a gene, wherein the gene is CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +69 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −79 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the target protein is cystinosin.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 148628-150072.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150752 or SEQ ID NO 150738.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 148628-150072.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140020 or SEQ ID NO 140021.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140007.

In some embodiments, the target protein is paired box gene 2 protein.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 146957-148627.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150742 or SEQ ID NO 150744.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 146957-148627.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140014-140019.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140006.

In some embodiments, the target protein is protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs. 149524-150737.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150752, SEQ ID NO 150738, SEQ ID NO 150750, SEQ ID NO 150749 or SEQ ID NO 150745.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 149524-150737.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140020-19.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140008.

In some embodiments, the target protein is peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% complimentary to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to a region comprising at least 8 contiguous nucleic acids of SEQ ID NO 150740, SEQ ID NO 150751, SEQ ID NO 150743, SEQ ID NO 150747, SEQ ID NO 150746, SEQ ID NO 150741, SEQ ID NO 150739, or SEQ ID NO 150748.

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs 140009-140013.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO 140005.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is in the retained intron within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer targets a portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region about 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the at least one retained intron, to about 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the at least one retained intron.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of target protein or functional RNA by modulating alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer does not increase the amount of the functional RNA or functional protein by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of the gene encoding the target protein or functional RNA.

In some embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing from a full-length pre-mRNA or a wild-type pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the mRNA encoding the target protein or functional RNA is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA.

In some embodiments, the target protein produced is full-length protein, or wild-type protein.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is a rate-limiting intron.

In some embodiments, said retained intron is the most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant retained intron in said RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, said antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, each sugar moiety is a modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense oligomer described herein, and an excipient.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject in need thereof by administering a pharmaceutical composition described herein by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer that hybridizes to a target sequence of a deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron, wherein the antisense oligomer induces splicing out of the retained intron from the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript; and a pharmaceutical acceptable excipient.

In some embodiments, the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript is a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript is in the retained intron within the region +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −500 relative to the 3′ spliced site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript is encoded by a genetic sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140005-140008.

In some embodiments, the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140009-140023.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is an antisense oligonucleotide.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxy ethyl moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises at least one modified sugar moiety.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, or 12 to 15 nucleobases.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer is at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or is 100% complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript is within a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 150038-150752.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence that is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140024-150737.

In some embodiments, the antisense oligomer comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 140024-150737.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of inducing processing of a deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript to facilitate removal of a retained intron to produce a fully processed CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript that encodes a functional form of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein, the method comprising: contacting an antisense oligomer to a target cell of a subject; hybridizing the antisense oligomer to the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript, wherein the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript is capable of encoding the functional form of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein and comprises at least one retained intron; removing the at least one retained intron from the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript to produce the fully processed CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript that encodes the functional form of CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein; and translating the functional form of CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein from the fully processed CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript.

In some embodiments, the retained intron is an entire retained intron.

In some embodiments, the deficient CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA transcript is a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA transcript.

In one aspect, provided herein is a method of treating a subject having a condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein comprising administering to the subject an antisense oligomer comprising a nucleotide sequence with at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140024-150737.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary retained-intron-containing (RIC) pre-mRNA transcript. The 5′ splice site consensus sequence is indicated with underlined letters (letters are nucleotides; upper case: exonic portion and lower case: intronic portion) from −3e to −1e and +1 to +6 (numbers labeled “e” are exonic and unlabeled numbers are intronic). The 3′ splice site consensus sequence is indicated with underlined letters (letters are nucleotides; upper case: exonic portion and lower case: intronic portion) from −15 to −1 and +1e (numbers labeled “e” are exonic and unlabeled numbers are intronic). Intronic target regions for ASO screening comprise nucleotides +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (arrow at left) to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron (arrow at right). In embodiments, intronic target regions for ASO screening comprise nucleotides +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron and −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. Exonic target regions comprise nucleotides +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron and +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. “n” or “N” denote any nucleotide, “y” denotes pyrimidine. The sequences shown represent consensus sequences for mammalian splice sites and individual introns and exons need not match the consensus sequences at every position.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B illustrates schematic representations of the Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) approach. FIG. 2A shows a cell divided into nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. In the nucleus, a pre-mRNA transcript of a target gene consisting of exons (rectangles) and introns (connecting lines) undergoes splicing to generate an mRNA, and this mRNA is exported to the cytoplasm and translated into target protein. For this target gene, the splicing of intron 1 is inefficient and a retained intron-containing (RIC) pre-mRNA accumulates primarily in the nucleus, and if exported to the cytoplasm, is degraded, leading to no target protein production. FIG. 2B shows an example of the same cell divided into nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Treatment with an antisense oligomer (ASO) promotes the splicing of intron 1 and results in an increase in mRNA, which is in turn translated into higher levels of target protein

FIG. 3 shows intron-retention in the JAG1 gene with intron 13 detail. The identification of intron-retention events in the JAG1 gene using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is shown, visualized in the UCSC genome browser. The upper panel shows the read density corresponding to the JAG1 transcript expressed in THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic (top) or nuclear fraction (bottom). At the bottom of this panel, a graphic representation of the JAG1 gene is shown to scale. The read density is shown as peaks. The highest read density corresponds to exons (black boxes), while no reads are observed for the majority of the introns (lines with arrow heads) in either cellular fraction. Higher read density is detected for introns 13, 18, and 23 (pointed by the arrows) in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of introns 13, 18, and 23 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts accumulate primarily in the nucleus and are not translated into the JAG1 protein. The read density for intron 13 in THLE-3 cells is shown in detail in the lower panel indicating 12% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis.

FIG. 4 shows JAG1 gene IVS 13 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for JAG1 IVS 13 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The JAG1 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 5 shows JAG1 intron 13 ASO walk evaluated by radioactive RT-PCR. At the top, a schematic drawing (not to scale) of exon 13-intron 13-exon 14 shows the primers Forward 1 (F1) and Reverse 1 (R1) used for the RT-PCR assay. In the middle panel, a representative gel shows radioactive RT-PCR products of JAG1 mock-treated (neg, RNAiMAX only), SMN-control ASO treated, or treated with a 2′-O-Me ASO targeting intron 13 as described in FIG. 2, at 60 nM concentration in ARPE-19 cells. In the lower panel, quantification of the bands corresponding to JAG1 radioactive RT-PCR products normalized to Beta actin from two independent experiments is plotted in the bar graph as fold-change with respect to the mock-treated products. The black line labeled 1 on the Y-axis indicates a ratio of 1 (no change).

FIG. 6 shows JAG1 intron 13 ASO walk evaluated by RT-qPCR. At the top left, a schematic representation of the RT-qPCR assay shows the primer recognition sites. RT-qPCR amplification results, obtained using the same ASO transfection experiment that were evaluated by radioactive RT-PCR as shown in FIG. 3, are plotted relative to mock-treated products normalized to Beta actin (upper bar graph) or normalized to RPL32 (lower bar graph) confirming the radioactive RT-PCR results. The black line labeled 1 on the Y-axis indicates a ratio of 1 (no change).

FIG. 7 shows intron-retention in the JAG1 gene with intron 18 detail. Intron retention in the JAG1 gene was identified by RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, as described herein in the Examples. The read density for intron 18 in THLE-3 cells is shown in detail in the lower panel, indicating 14% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis.

FIG. 8 shows JAG1 gene IVS 18 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for JAG1 IVS 18 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The JAG1 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 9 shows JAG1 intron 18 ASO walk evaluated by radioactive RT-PCR. At the top, a schematic drawing (not to scale) of exon 18 to exon 20 shows the primers Forward 1 (F1) and Reverse 1 (R1) used for the RT-PCR assay. In the middle panel, a representative gel shows radioactive RT-PCR products of JAG1 mock-treated (neg, RNAiMAX only), SMN-control ASO treated, or treated with a 2′-O-Me ASO targeting intron 18 as described herein in the Examples and in the description of FIG. 6, at 60 nM concentration in ARPE-19 cells. Quantification of the bands corresponding to JAG1 radioactive RT-PCR products normalized to Beta actin from 2 independent experiments is plotted in the bar graph below as fold change with respect to the mock-treated products. The black line labeled 1 on the Y-axis indicates a ratio of 1 (no change).

FIG. 10 shows JAG1 intron 18 ASO walk evaluated by RT-qPCR. At the top left, a schematic representation of the RT-qPCR assay shows the primer recognition sites. RT-qPCR amplification results, obtained using the same ASO transfection experiment that were evaluated by radioactive RT-PCR as shown in FIG. 7, are plotted relative to mock-treated products normalized to Beta actin (upper bar graph) or normalized to RPL32 (lower bar graph) confirming the radioactive RT-PCR results. The black line labeled 1 on the Y-axis indicates a ratio of 1 (no change).

FIG. 11 shows intron-retention in the JAG1 gene with intron 23 detail. Intron retention in the JAG1 gene was identified by RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, as described herein in the Examples and in the description of FIG. 1. The read density for intron 23 in THLE-3 cells is shown in detail in the lower panel, indicating 17% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis.

FIG. 12 shows JAG1 gene IVS 23 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for JAG1 IVS 23 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The JAG1 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 13 shows intron-retention in the TSC2 gene with intron 4 detail. The identification of intron-retention events in the TSC2 gene using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is shown, visualized in the UCSC genome browser. The upper panel shows the read density corresponding to the TSC2 transcript expressed in HCN (human cortical neurons) and localized in either the cytoplasmic (top) or nuclear fraction (bottom). At the bottom of this panel, a graphic representation of the TSC2 gene is shown to scale. The read density is shown as peaks. The highest read density corresponds to exons (black boxes), while no reads are observed for the majority of the introns (lines with arrow heads) in either cellular fraction. Higher read density is detected for introns 4, 25/26, and 31/32 (indicated by the arrows) in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of introns 4, 25/26, and 31/32 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm. The read density for intron 4 in HCN is shown in detail in the lower panel.

FIG. 14 shows TSC2 gene IVS 4 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for TSC2 IVS 4 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The TSC2 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 15 shows intron-retention in the TSC2 gene with introns 25 and 26 detail. Intron retention in the TSC2 gene was identified by RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, as described herein in the Examples. The read density for introns 25 and 26 in HCN is shown in detail in the lower panel. Introns 25 and 26 flank exon 26, an alternatively spliced exon. This is evidenced in the graphic representations of the TSC2 transcripts and the RNAseq data, such that the rectangle depicting exon 26 is present in some transcripts while absent in others, and the read density corresponding to exon 26 in the cytoplasmic fraction is significantly lower than that of the constitutively spliced exons in TSC2. The read density for intron 26 is shown in detail in the lower panel indicating 51% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis.

FIG. 16 shows TSC2 gene IVS 25 and 26 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for TSC2 IVS 25 and 26 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site of intron 25 or upstream of the 3′ splice site of intron 26 using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. The splice site intronic regions flanking alternative exon 26 are not targeted to avoid affecting the inclusion level of exon 26. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The TSC2 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 17 shows intron-retention in the TSC2 gene with introns 31 and 32 detail. Intron retention in the TSC2 gene was identified by RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, as described herein in the Examples. The read density for introns 31 and 32 is shown in detail in the lower panel. Introns 31 and 32 flank exon 32, an alternatively spliced exon. This is evidenced in the graphic representations of the TSC2 transcripts and the RNAseq data, such that the rectangle depicting exon 32 is present in some transcripts while absent in others, and the read density corresponding to exon 32 in the cytoplasmic fraction is significantly lower than that of the constitutively spliced exons in TSC2. The read density for intron 31 is shown in detail in the lower panel indicating 43% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis.

FIG. 18 shows TSC2 gene IVS 31 and 32 ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for TSC2 IVS 31 and 32 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site of intron 31 or upstream of the 3′ splice site of intron 32 using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. The splice site intronic regions flanking alternative exon 32 are not targeted to avoid affecting the inclusion level of exon 32. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time with the exception of TSC2-IVS32-33 and TSC2-IVS32-51. The TSC2 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 19 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TSC2 intron 4 corresponding to NM_000548. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 20 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of TSC2 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 21 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TSC2 intron 25 corresponding to NM_000548. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 22 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of TSC2 mRNA without intron 25 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 23 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TSC2 intron 26 corresponding to NM_000548. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 24 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TSC2 intron 31 corresponding to NM_000548. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 25 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of TSC2 mRNA without intron 31 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 26 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TSC2 intron 32 corresponding to NM_000548. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 27 depicts intron-retention in the PKD2 gene with intron 5 shown in detail. The identification of intron-retention events in the PKD2 gene using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is shown, visualized in the UCSC genome browser. The upper panel shows the read density corresponding to the PKD2 transcript expressed in renal epithelial cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic (top) or nuclear fraction (bottom). At the bottom of this panel, a graphic representation of the PKD2 gene is shown to scale. The read density is shown as peaks. The highest read density corresponds to exons (black boxes), while no reads are observed for the majority of the introns in either cellular fraction. Higher read density is detected for intron 5 (pointed by the arrow) in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of intron 5 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm. The read density for intron 5 in renal epithelial cells is shown in detail in the lower panel.

FIG. 28 depicts an exemplary PKD2 gene intron 5 (IVS 5) ASO walk. A graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for PKD2 IVS 5 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The PKD2 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 29 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Gene for PKD2 corresponding to NM_000297. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of intron 5 is detailed.

FIG. 30 depicts intron-retention in the PRPF3 gene with intron 12 detail. The identification of intron-retention events in the PRPF3 gene using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is shown, visualized in the UCSC genome browser. The upper panel shows the read density corresponding to the PRPF3 transcript expressed in ARPE-19 (retina epithelial) cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic (top) or nuclear fraction (bottom). At the bottom of this panel, a graphic representation of the PRPF3 gene is shown to scale. The read density is shown as peaks. The highest read density corresponds to exons (black boxes), while no reads are observed for the majority of the introns (lines with arrow heads) in either cellular fraction. Higher read density is detected for intron 12 (indicated by the arrow) in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of intron 12 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm. The read density for intron 12 in renal epithelial cells is shown in detail in the lower panel.

FIG. 31 illustrates a graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for PRPF3 IVS 12 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time (with the exception of ASO P3-IVS12+28). The PRPF3 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 32 depicts intron-retention in the PRPF3 gene with intron 13. Intron retention in the PRPF3 gene was identified by RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, as described herein in the Examples. The read density for intron 13 in ARPE-19 cells is shown in detail in the lower panel.

FIG. 33 illustrates a graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for PRPF3 IVS 13 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time (with the exception of ASO P3-IVS13+15, P3-IVS13+31, and P3-IVS13-47). The PRPF3 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 34 depicts intron-retention in the PRPF8 gene with intron 31 detail. The identification of intron-retention events in the PRPF8 gene using RNA sequencing (RNAseq) is shown, visualized in the UCSC genome browser. The upper panel shows the read density corresponding to the PRPF8 transcript expressed in ARPE-19 (retina epithelial) cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic (top) or nuclear fraction (bottom). At the bottom of this panel, a graphic representation of the PRPF8 gene is shown to scale. The read density is shown as peaks. The highest read density corresponds to exons (black boxes), while no reads are observed for the majority of the introns (lines with arrow heads) in either cellular fraction. Higher read density is detected for intron 31 (indicated by the arrow) in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of intron 31 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm. The read density for intron 31 in renal epithelial cells is shown in detail in the lower panel.

FIG. 35 illustrates a graphic representation of the ASO walk performed for PRPF8 IVS 31 targeting sequences immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site or upstream of the 3′ splice site using 2′-O-Me ASOs, PS backbone, is shown. ASOs were designed to cover these regions by shifting 5 nucleotides at a time. The PRPF8 exon-intron structure is drawn to scale.

FIG. 36 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRPF3 corresponding to NM_004698. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 37 depicts an exemplary graph is depicted showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PRPF3 mRNA without intron 12 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 38 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRPF3 corresponding to NM_004698. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 39 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PRPF3 mRNA without intron 13 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 40 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRPF8 corresponding to NM_006445. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 41 depicts an exemplary graph is depicted showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PRPF8 mRNA without intron 31 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 42 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ADAR intron 2 corresponding to NM_001111. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 43 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ARSA intron 3 corresponding to NM_001085425. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 44 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ARSA intron 4 corresponding to NM_001085425. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 45 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for DNMT1 intron 30 corresponding to NM_001130823. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of DNMT1 mRNA without intron 30 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 47 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B2 intron 1 corresponding to NM_014239. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 48 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B2 mRNA without intron 1 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 49 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B5 intron 12 corresponding to NM_003907. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 50 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B5 mRNA without intron 12 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 51 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B5 intron 13 corresponding to NM_003907. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 52 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B5 mRNA without intron 13 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 53 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 10 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 54 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PEX1 mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 55 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 14 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 56 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PEX1 mRNA without intron 14 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 57 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRICKLE2 intron 4 corresponding to NM_198859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 58 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PRICKLE2 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 59 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRRT2 intron 1 corresponding to NM_145239. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 60 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RAI1 intron 4 corresponding to NM_030665. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 61 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of RAI1 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 62 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for SHANK3 intron 16 corresponding to NM_033517. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 63 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of SHANK3 mRNA without intron 16 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 64 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STXBP1 intron 18 corresponding to NM_001032221. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 65 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of STXBP1 mRNA without intron 18 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 66 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for SETD5 intron 4 corresponding to NM_001080517. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 67 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP1A2 intron 22 corresponding to NM_000702. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 68 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CACNA1A intron 36 corresponding to NM_023035. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 69 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CACNA1A intron 37 corresponding to NM_023035. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 70 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NF2 intron 16 corresponding to NM_181832. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 71 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 19 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 72 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 21 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 73 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STX1B intron 6 corresponding to NM_052874. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 74 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STX1B intron 7 corresponding to NM_052874. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 75 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NF2 intron 16 corresponding to NM_181832. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 76 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of NF2 mRNA without intron 16 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 77 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NPC1 intron 15 corresponding to NM_000271. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 78 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of NPC1 mRNA without intron 15 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 79 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP1A2 intron 22 corresponding to NM_000702. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 80 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ATP1A2 mRNA without intron 22 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 81 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TCF4 intron 18 corresponding to NM_001243226. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 82 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for FSCN2 corresponding to NM_012418 and NM_001077182. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 83 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of FSCN2 mRNA without intron 1 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 84 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for FSCN2 corresponding to NM_012418 and NM_001077182. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 85 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of FSCN2 mRNA without intron 3 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 86 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of FSCN2 mRNA without intron 3 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 87 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for MFSD8 corresponding to NM_152778. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 88 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for MFSD8 corresponding to NM_152778. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 89 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of MFSD8 mRNA without intron 12 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 90 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for OPTN corresponding to NM_001008211, NM_00100212, NM_001008213, and NM_021980. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 91 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of OPTN mRNA without intron 7 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 92 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RDH5 corresponding to NM_002905 and NM_001199771. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 93 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of RDH5 mRNA without intron 1 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 94 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RDH5 corresponding to NM_002905 and NM_001199771. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 95 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RLBP1 corresponding to NM_000326. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 96 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of RLBP1 mRNA without intron 2 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 97 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TCF4 corresponding to NM_001243236, NM_00123235, NM_001243234, NM_001243233, NM_001243232, NM_001243231, NM_003199, NM_001306207, NM_001306208, NM_001243227, NM_001243228, NM_001243230, NM_001243226, NM_001083962, NM_001330605, and NM_001330604. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 98 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ROM1 corresponding to NM_000327. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 99 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CNGA3 corresponding to NM_001298 and NM_001079878. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 100 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RGR corresponding to NM_002921, NM_001012722, and NM_001012720. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 101 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RGR corresponding to NM_002921, NM_001012722, and NM_001012720. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 102 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RPE65 corresponding to NM_000329. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 103 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RPE65 corresponding to NM_000329. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 104 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RDH8 corresponding to NM_015725. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 105 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NXNL1 corresponding to NM_138454. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 106 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ABCA4 corresponding to NM_000350. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 107 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ABCA4 corresponding to NM_000350. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 108 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of ABCA4 mRNA without intron 38 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 109 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ABCA4 corresponding to NM_000350. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 110 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ABCA4 corresponding to NM_000350. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 111 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of ABCA4 mRNA without intron 40 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 112 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ABCA4 corresponding to NM_000350. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown

FIG. 113 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RDH12 corresponding to NM_152443. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 114 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for IDUA corresponding to NM_000203 and NR_110313. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 115 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of IDUA mRNA without intron 3 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 116 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for IDUA corresponding to NM_000203 and NR_110313. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 117 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for IDUA corresponding to NM_000203 and NR_110313. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 118 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for IDUA corresponding to NM_000203 and NR_110313. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 119 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for IDUA corresponding to NM_000203 and NR_110313. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 120 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CTNS corresponding to NM_004937 and NM_001031681. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 121 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CTNS corresponding to NM_004937 and NM_001031681. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 122 depicts an exemplary graph showing the fold change in expression levels of CTNS mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 123A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for AMT corresponding to NM_001164710, NM_00116471, 1 NM_001164712, NM_000481 and NR_028435. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 123B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of AMT mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 4-exon 5 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 123C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for AMT corresponding to NM_001164710, NM_00116471, 1 NM_001164712, NM_000481 and NR_028435. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 124A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 2, NM_000155).

FIG. 124B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 3, NM_000155).

FIG. 124C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 4, NM_000155).

FIG. 124D depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of GALT mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 4-exon 5 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 124E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 5, NM_000155).

FIG. 124F depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 7, NM_000155).

FIG. 124G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 8, NM_000155).

FIG. 124H depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of GALT mRNA without intron 8 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 8-exon 9 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 124I depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 9, NM_000155).

FIG. 124J depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for GALT corresponding to GALT: NM_000155 and NM_001258332. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (GALT intron 10, NM_000155).

FIG. 125A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PC corresponding to PC: NM_000920, NM_022172 and NM_001040716. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PC intron 16, NM_022172).

FIG. 125B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PC mRNA without intron 16 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 16-exon 17 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 126A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for FAH corresponding to FAH: NM_000137. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (FAH intron 1, NM_000137).

FIG. 126B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of FAH mRNA without intron 1 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 1-exon 2 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 127A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 3, NM_006238).

FIG. 127B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PPARD mRNA without intron 3 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 127C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 4, NM_006238).

FIG. 127D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 5, NM_006238).

FIG. 127E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 6, NM_006238).

FIG. 127F depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PPARD mRNA without intron 6 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 127G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 7, NM_006238).

FIG. 128A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 3, NM_000018).

FIG. 128B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 5, NM_000018).

FIG. 128C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 8, NM_000018).

FIG. 128D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 9, NM_000018).

FIG. 128E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 10, NM_000018).

FIG. 128F depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 13, NM_000018).

FIG. 128G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 18, NM_000018).

FIG. 128H depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ACADVL corresponding to ACADVL: NM_001270448, NM_001270447, NM_000018 and NM_001033859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ACADVL intron 19, NM_000018).

FIG. 129A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HMBS corresponding to HMBS: NM_000190, NM_001258208, NM_001024382 and NM_001258209. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HMBS intron 10, NM_000190).

FIG. 129B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of HMBS mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 10-exon 11 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 129C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HMBS corresponding to HMBS: NM_000190, NM_001258208, NM_001024382 and NM_001258209. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HMBS intron 11, NM_000190).

FIG. 130A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for UROD corresponding to UROD: NM_000374 and NR_036510. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (UROD intron 3, NM_000374).

FIG. 130B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for UROD corresponding to UROD: NM_000374 and NR_036510. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (UROD intron 4, NM_000374).

FIG. 130C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for UROD corresponding to UROD: NM_000374 and NR_036510. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (UROD intron 5 NM_000374).

FIG. 130D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for UROD corresponding to UROD: NM_000374 and NR_036510. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (UROD intron 6, NM_000374).

FIG. 130E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for UROD corresponding to UROD: NM_000374 and NR_036510. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (UROD intron 7, NM_000374).

FIG. 131A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ALMS1 corresponding to ALMS1: NM_015120. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ALMS1 intron 21, NM_015120).

FIG. 131B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ALMS1 mRNA without intron 21 in Huh7 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 21-exon 22 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 132A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ASL corresponding to ASL: NM_000048, NM_001024943, NM_001024944 and NM_001024946. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ASL intron 7, NM_000048).

FIG. 132B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ASL mRNA without intron 7 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 7-exon 8 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 132C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ASL corresponding to ASL: NM_000048, NM_001024943, NM_001024944 and NM_001024946. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ASL intron 8, NM_000048).

FIG. 132D depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ASL mRNA without intron 8 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 8-exon 9 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 132E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ASL corresponding to ASL: NM_000048, NM_001024943, NM_001024944 and NM_001024946. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ASL intron 9, NM_000048).

FIG. 132F depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ASL mRNA without intron 7 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 9-exon 10 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 132G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ASL corresponding to ASL: NM_000048, NM_001024943, NM_001024944 and NM_001024946. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ASL intron 16, NM_000048).

FIG. 133A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP7B1 corresponding to ATP7B1: NM_001243182, NM_000053, NM_001005918, NM_001330579 and NM_001330578. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ATP7B1 intron 7, NM_000053).

FIG. 133B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP7B1 corresponding to ATP7B1: NM_001243182, NM_000053, NM_001005918, NM_001330579 and

NM_001330578. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (ATP7B1 intron 13, NM_000053).

FIG. 133C depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ATP7B1 mRNA without intron 13 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 13-exon 14 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 134 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HFE corresponding to HFE: NM_139007, NM_139006, NM_139004, NM_139003, NM_001300749, NM_139009, NM_139008, and NM_000410. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HFE intron 2, NM_000410).

FIG. 135A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 1, NM_001142777).

FIG. 135B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 1, NM_001142777).

FIG. 135C depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of HSD3B7 mRNA without intron 2 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 2-exon 3 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 135D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 3, NM_001142777).

FIG. 135E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 4, NM_001142777).

FIG. 135F depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of HSD3B7 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs (spanning the exon 4-exon 5 splice junction) over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 135G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 5, NM_025193).

FIG. 135H depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for HSD3B7 corresponding to HSD3B7: NM_001142777, NM_001142778 and NM_025193. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (HSD3B7 intron 6, NM_025193).

FIG. 136 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NCOA5 corresponding to NCOA5: NM_020967. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (NCOA5 intron2, NM_020967).

FIG. 137A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 3, 000309).

FIG. 137B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 4, 000309).

FIG. 137C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 5, 000309).

FIG. 137D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 7, 000309).

FIG. 137E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 8, 000309).

FIG. 137F depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 10, 000309).

FIG. 137G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPOX corresponding to PPOX: NM_000309 and NM_001122764. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPOX intron 12, 000309).

FIG. 138A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CTNS corresponding to NM_004937 and NM_001031681. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 138B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CTNS corresponding to NM_004937 and NM_001031681. The PIR of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 138C depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of CTNS mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 139A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CYP24A1 corresponding to NM_000782 and NM_001128915. The PIR of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 139B depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CYP24A1 corresponding to NM_000782 and NM_001128915. The PIR of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 139C depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of CYP24A1 mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 140 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PAX2 corresponding to NM_001304569, NM_000278, NM_003990, NM_003988, NM_003987 and NM_003989.

FIG. 141A depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 3, NM_006238).

FIG. 141B depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PPARD mRNA without intron 3 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 141C depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 4, NM_006238).

FIG. 141D depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 5, NM_006238).

FIG. 141E depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820.

The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 6, NM_006238).

FIG. 141F depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PPARD mRNA without intron 6 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 141G depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PPARD corresponding to PPARD: NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 and NM_001171820. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown (PPARD intron 7, NM_006238).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Alagille Syndrome

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts of the JAG1 gene, which encodes the JAG1 protein that is deficient in the debilitating genetic diseases, Alagille Syndrome, have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These JAG1 pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained JAG1 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated JAG1 protein levels. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice site of a retained-intron-containing JAG1 pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, JAG1 protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by JAG1 deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention are used to increase JAG1 production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which JAG1 is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in JAG1 mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the subject has a muscular dystrophy. In embodiments, the subject has a dystrophin deficiency. For example, Vieira, et al., 2015, “Jagged 1 Rescues the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Phenotype,” Cell 163:1204-1213, describe findings suggesting that increasing JAG1 expression in muscle can rescue dystrophin-deficient phenotypes in two different animal models for the disease.

Alagille Syndrome

Alagille syndrome (ALGS), also known as arteriohepatic dysplasia, is an autosomal dominant, multisystem disorder (Turnpenny and Ellard, 2012). The main clinical and pathological findings are liver disease due to paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts, heart disease, vascular anomalies, skeletal anomalies, ophthalmic features, facial features, renal anomalies, growth retardation, and pancreatic insufficiency. Clinical findings of ALGS are variable, with clinical diagnosis of “classic” ALGS based on the presence of 3 of 5 clinical features including anomalies of the liver, heart, vertebrae, eye, or face along with bile duct paucity (Lu et al., Am. J. Hum. Gen. 2003, 72, 1065-1070; Penton et al., Seminars Cell & Dev. Biol. 2012, 23, 450-457). The reported ALGS prevalence of 1:70,000 is thought to be an underestimate because of the variability and reduced penetrance of the condition.

Mutations of genes involved in Notch signaling have been reported to cause ALGS. JAG1 encodes JAG1 protein, a cell surface ligand for the Notch transmembrane receptors. The human genomic sequence of the JAG1 gene is set forth at NCBI Gene ID 182, described by, e.g., Jurkiewicz, D., et al., 2014, “Spectrum of JAG1 gene mutations in Polish patients with Alagille syndrome,” J. Appl. Genetics 55:329-336, and the amino acid sequence at UniProtKB: P78504-1, Oda, T., et al., 1997, “Identification and cloning of the human homolog (JAG1) of the rat Jagged1 gene from the Alagille syndrome critical region at 20p12,” Genomics 43 (3): 376-379, all incorporated by reference herein. The JAG1 canonical mRNA sequence is set forth at NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_000214.2, described by Duryagina R, et al., 2013, “Overexpression of Jagged-1 and its intracellular domain in human mesenchymal stromal cells differentially affect the interaction with hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells,” Stem Cells Dev. 22 (20), 2736-2750, both incorporated by reference herein. Binding of JAG1 ligand to Notch triggers a signaling cascade that results in transcription of genes involved in cell fate determination and differentiation. Mutations in JAG1 cause ALGS type 1, the most prevalent disease type, while mutations in NOTCH2 cause ALGS type 2.

The JAG1 gene consists of 26 exons and is located on chromosome 20p11.2-20p12. JAG1 mutations in ALGS are spread across the entire protein, and there is a high de novo mutation rate of approximately 60%. 80% of mutations include frameshift, nonsense, and splice site mutations; whole gene deletions account for 7% of mutations, and missense mutations represent 12% (Lu et al., 2003). Because whole gene deletion results in a phenotype similar to that seen for truncating and missense mutations, haploinsufficiency is the likely mechanism of disease causation in the majority of cases (Lu et al., 2003; Turnpenny and Ellard, 2012).

Mutations associated with the classic ALGS phenotype that includes liver disease displayed functional haploinsufficiency, resulting in cell surface concentrations of JAG1 that were 50% of wild-type levels (Lu et al., 2003). By contrast, a JAG1 missense mutation that results in expression of the JAG1-G274D protein has been reported to produce two protein populations, with one population exhibiting a glycosylation defect, thus preventing transport to the cell surface. The JAG1-G274D mutation was associated with a cardiac-specific phenotype in the absence of liver disease, with carriers of the mutation having more than 50% but less than 100% of the normal concentration of JAG1 on the cell surface. Thus, the developing liver may require less JAG1 than the developing heart (Lu et al., 2003).

Muscle Repair

As noted above, the potential for JAG1 to rescue dystrophin-deficient phenotypes in two animal models has been described (Vieira, et al., 2015). Deficiency of muscle dystrophin in muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), causes progressive muscle degeneration and wasting. In DMD, death eventually results due to respiratory or cardiac failure. Although JAG1 is not deficient in these conditions, increased levels of JAG1 may stimulate muscle cell proliferation and repair. In embodiments, the methods and compositions of the present invention are used to increase JAG1 production to stimulate muscle repair in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a muscular dystrophy. In embodiments, the muscular dystrophy is DMD, BMD, or limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, or Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. In embodiments, the subject has a dystrophin deficiency. In embodiments, the dystrophin deficiency is DMD or BMD. In embodiments, the subject has a muscular dystrophy caused by a deficiency in dysferlin (encoded by the DYSF gene), emerin (encoded by the EMD gene), DUX4, myotonin-protein kinase (MT-PK) also known as myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (MDPK) or dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMK) (encoded by the DMPK gene), Cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (encoded by the CNBP gene), or polyadenylate-binding protein 2 (PABP-2) also known as polyadenylate-binding nuclear protein 1 (PABPN1) (encoded by the PABPN1 gene). Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the JAG1 gene and encoding JAG1 protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of the identified JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, JAG1 mRNA, is induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature JAG1 mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of JAG1 protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of Alagille syndrome. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

JAG1 Nuclear Transcripts

As described herein in the Examples, the JAG1 gene was analyzed for intron-retention events and retention of introns 13, 18, and 23 was observed. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, showed JAG1 transcripts expressed in THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. In both fractions, reads were not observed for the majority of the introns. However, higher read density was detected for introns 13, 18, and 23 in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of introns 13, 18, and 23 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts accumulate primarily in the nucleus and are not translated into the JAG1 protein. The read density for introns 13, 18, and 23, indicated 12%, 14%, and 17% intron retention, respectively.

Table 1 provides a non-limiting list of target sequences of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript by sequence ID, and ASOs by sequence ID, useful for increasing production of JAG1 protein by targeting a region of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for this purpose are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

TABLE 1 List of targets and ASOs targeting the JAG1 gene Gene Target SEQ ID Pre-mRNA Retained Sequence NO: SEQ ID NO: ASOs Intron SEQ ID NO: JAG1 JAG1:NM_ SEQ ID NOs: 3-111 18 439 SEQ ID 000214 SEQ ID NOs: 112- 13 438 NO: SEQ ID NO: 2 331 1 SEQ ID NOs: 332- 23 437 436

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a JAG1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a JAG1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 13, 18, 23 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2 comprising a retained intron 13, a retained intron 18, a retained intron 23, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 437-439. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 3-436.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 18 or exon 19 of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 4 to about 99 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 2 to about 7 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 18 in a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 239 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 253 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 14 to about 131 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG/RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 440 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 441 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 23 or exon 24 of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 23, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG/RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence about 4 to about 216 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence about 2 to about 114 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 23 in a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 23, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 23 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 23 sequence about 6 to about 121 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 23 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 23 sequence about 16 to about 121 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a JAG/RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 23.

It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different JAG1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any JAG1 isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214.2. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any JAG1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214.2. In embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to increase the expression of any known JAG1 isoform.

JAG1 Protein Expression

As described above, JAG1 mutations in ALGS are spread across the entire protein, and there is a high de novo mutation rate of approximately 60%. Of the mutations characterized, 80% include frameshift, nonsense, and splice site mutations; whole gene deletions account for 7% of mutations, and missense mutations represent 12% (Lu et al., 2003).

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional JAG1 protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a JAG1 protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition, e.g., Alagille syndrome or a muscular dystrophy. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional JAG1 protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the JAG1 protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the JAG1 protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein, wherein the subject has Alagille syndrome caused by a deficient amount of activity of JAG1 protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the JAG1 protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the JAG1 protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional JAG1 protein, and a second allele from which the JAG1 protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional JAG1 protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional JAG1 protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional JAG1 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional JAG1 protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional JAG1 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional JAG1 protein, and an increase in the expression of the JAG1 protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional JAG1 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional JAG1 protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional JAG1 protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional JAG1 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional JAG1 protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of JAG1 protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency, e.g., Alagille syndrome, in the amount or function of a JAG1 protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition). In embodiments, the first protein is a protein deficient in a muscular dystrophy and the second protein is JAG1. In embodiments, the first protein is a dystrophin and the second protein is JAG1.

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the JAG1 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the JAG1 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the JAG1 protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the JAG1 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the JAG1 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the JAG1 protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein         and an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding JAG1 that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of JAG1 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the JAG1 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional JAG1 protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional JAG1 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional JAG1 protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional JAG1 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a JAG1 whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In embodiments, the subject has a JAG1 missense mutation selected from G274D, L37S, R184H, P163L, P871R, C234Y, C664S, P810L, or R937Q. In embodiments, the subject has JAG1 deletion mutation 1485-1486delCT. In embodiments, the subject has JAG1 duplication mutation 414-415dupGT. In embodiments, a subject having any JAG1 mutation known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Lu, et al., 2003, Penton, et al., 2012, referenced above, is treated using the methods and compositions of the present invention.

Use of TANGO for Increasing JAG1 Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a JAG1 protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding JAG1 protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the JAG1 protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein. In embodiments, the most retained intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein is intron 23.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. ENCODE data (described by, e.g., Tilgner, et al., 2012, “Deep sequencing of subcellular RNA fractions shows splicing to be predominantly co-transcriptional in the human genome but inefficient for lncRNAs,” Genome Research 22(9):1616-25) can be used to aid in identifying retained introns.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. In embodiments, the second-most retained intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein is intron 18. In embodiments, the second-most retained intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein is intron 13.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the JAG1 gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information (operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894). As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the canonical sequence available at NCBI Gene ID 182. Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, resulting in increased expression of JAG1. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the JAG1 protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of JAG1 protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of JAG1 protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding JAG1, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the JAG1 protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding JAG1 protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of JAG1 protein in cells, for example, in a subject having Alagille syndrome caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of JAG1 protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding JAG1 protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding JAG1 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding JAG1 protein and increasing the expression of JAG1 protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein correctly removes a retained intron from a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA encoding JAG1 protein, wherein the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding JAG1 protein or the amount of JAG1 protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the JAG1 gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding JAG1 protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type JAG1 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type JAG1 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length JAG1 pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length JAG1 pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding JAG1 protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of JAG1 protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to +300, +6 to +200, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −6 to −200, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 29 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 28 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 19 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 17 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 16 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 14 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 13 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 12 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 11 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 10 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. Multiple tissues and organs are affected by Alagille syndrome, with the liver being the most significantly affected tissue. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally. In embodiments, the ASOs of the present invention are administered to patients by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the heart or liver. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

In the treatment of subjects having muscular dystrophy, the compositions of the present invention may be provided to muscle cells by any suitable means, including direct administration (e.g., locally by injection or topical administration at a treatment site) or systemically (e.g., parenterally or orally), intranasally, orally, or by inhalational, enteral, topical, intrauterine, vaginal, sublingual, rectal, intramuscular, intrapleural, intraventricular, intraperitoneal, ophthalmic, intravenous, or subcutaneous means.

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a JAG1 RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Tuberous Sclerosis

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained TSC2 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated tuberin protein levels. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing TSC2 pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, TSC2 protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by TSC2 deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention are used to increase TSC2 production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has condition in which TSC2 is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in TSC2 mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition is a caused by a TSC2 haploinsufficiency. In embodiments, the condition is an autosomal dominant disorder. In embodiments, the condition is an autosomal recessive disorder.

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a disease characterized by tumor growth in multiple organ systems (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709). Tumors are usually benign but are occasionally malignant. Approximately 90% of tuberous sclerosis complex cases display cortical tuber; facial angiofibroma and renal angiomyolipoma occur in more than 80% of cases. In addition, approximately 80% of cases display subependymal nodule, approximately 50% of cases display cardiac rhabdomyoma, and 51% to approximately 88% of cases display ungual/subungual fibroma. Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, followed by renal disease (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709).

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a genetic disorder with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern and a high mutation rate (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709). Linkage of tuberous sclerosis complex to chromosomal regions 9q34.3 and 16p13.3 led to the identification of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes, respectively. More than 69% of tuberous sclerosis complex cases result from haploinsufficency of TSC2, and disease in approximately two thirds of patients results from de novo mutation or deletion (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709). Severe disease is thought to require a “second hit” reduction of the other allele. The prevalence of tuberous sclerosis complex is as high as one in 5,800 live births, or approximately 300 births per year in the United States, with 200 cases per year resulting from mutation of TSC2. The disease is described, e.g., by OMIM #613254 (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Johns Hopkins University, 1966-2015), incorporated by reference herein.

The TSC2 gene codes for a protein named tuberin. The TSC2 gene contains 41 exons, two of which are alternatively spliced, and spans approximately 40 kb on chromosome 16 (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709). Tuberin is a 200 kDa protein that forms a complex with the TSC1 gene product hamartin. The tuberin-hamartin complex plays a role in the regulation of cell growth, translation, cell size, and cell adhesion and migration through a variety of signal cascades. For example, the tuberin-hamartin complex functions in the phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase and protein B pathway (PI3K/PKB) that regulates translation. Specifically, the tuberin-hamartin complex suppresses cell growth and translation by suppressing mTOR kinase activity, resulting in suppression of the p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K) 1 and activation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Moreover, the GAP domain of tuberin hydrolyzes guanosine triphosphate (GTP) bound to the small G protein Rheb, a Ras homolog enriched in brain, thus preventing mTOR activation.

Additionally, tuberin and hamartin regulate cell growth and cell adhesion through the MAP kinase (MAPK) and E-cadherin-beta-catenin pathways, respectively. Initially discovered through identification of loss of heterozygosity for portions of chromosome 16p13, numerous mutations have been described for TSC2 (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709). Mutations include frameshift and protein truncations, nonsense mutations, mutations that affect splicing, in-frame mutations, deletions, insertions, duplications, and large deletions and rearrangement. Mutations of TSC2 that yield truncated protein products fail to form the tuberin-hamartin complex, thus resulting in loss of cell growth regulation. The role of the tuberin-hamartin complex as a key regulator of multiple signaling pathways is consistent with the wide spectrum of clinical findings among patients with tuberous sclerosis complex that involve multiple organ systems, including neurological and neurobehavioral abnormalities such as seizures, intellectual disability, and developmental delay (Au et al., J. Child Neurol. 2004, 19, 699-709).

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the TSC2 gene and encoding tuberin protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of the identified TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, TSC2 mRNA, is induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature TSC2 mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of tuberin protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of tuberous sclerosis complex. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

TSC2 Nuclear Transcripts

As described herein in the Examples, the TSC2 gene was analyzed for intron-retention events and retention of introns 4, 25, 26, 31, and 32 was observed. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, showed TSC2 transcripts expressed in HCN (human cortical neurons) cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. In both fractions, reads were not observed for the majority of the introns. However, higher read density was detected for introns 4, 25, 26, 31, and 32 in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of introns 4, 25, 26, 31, and 32 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts accumulate primarily in the nucleus and not translated into the tuberin protein. The read density for intron 26 in AST is shown in detail in the lower panel indicating 51% intron retention as calculated by bioinformatic analysis. The percent intron retention (PIR) value for intron 26 was obtained by averaging four values (87, 83, 20, and 12), each determined in renal epithelial cells using one of four different algorithms. The read density for intron 31 in AST is shown in detail in the lower panel indicating 43% intron retention. The percent intron retention (PIR) value for intron 31 was obtained by averaging four values (78, 71, 16, and 8), each determined in renal epithelial cells using one of four different algorithms. Introns 4 and 32 were not mapped. Analysis of the ENCODE data (described by, e.g., Tilgner, et al., 2012, “Deep sequencing of subcellular RNA fractions shows splicing to be predominantly co-transcriptional in the human genome but inefficient for lncRNAs,” Genome Research 22(9):1616-25) to identify intron retention events did not identify intron 25, 26, or 31 as retained, and did not map introns 4 and 32.

Table 3 provides a non-limiting list of target sequences of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript by sequence ID, and ASOs by sequence ID, useful for increasing production of tuberin protein by targeting a region of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for these purposes are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

TABLE 3 List of targets and ASOs targeting the TSC2 gene Target Gene Pre-mRNA Retained Sequence SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: ASOs Intron SEQ ID NO: TSC2 TSC2:NM_001318829 SEQ ID NOs: 448- 24 5539 SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 441 669 440 SEQ ID NOs: 670- 3 5536 866 SEQ ID NOs: 867- 29 5540 1099 TSC2:NM_000548 SEQ ID NOs: 32 5544 SEQ ID NO: 442 1100-1303 SEQ ID NOs: 25 5542 1304-1513 SEQ ID NOs: 26 5538 1514-1740 SEQ ID NOs: 4 5536 1741-1937 SEQ ID NOs: 31 5543 1938-2101 TSC2:NM_001077183 SEQ ID NOs: 25 5537 SEQ ID NO: 443 2102-2323 SEQ ID NOs: 4 5536 2324-2520 SEQ ID NOs: 30 5540 2521-2753 TSC2:NM_001114382 SEQ ID NOs: 25 5542 SEQ ID NO: 444 2754-2963 SEQ ID NOs: 26 5538 2964-3190 SEQ ID NOs: 4 5536 3191-3387 SEQ ID NOs: 31 5540 3388-3620 TSC2:NM_001318831 SEQ ID NOs: 27 5543 SEQ ID NO: 445 3621-3784 SEQ ID NOs: 28 5544 3785-3988 SEQ ID NOs: 22 5537 3989-4210 TSC2:NM_001318832 SEQ ID NOs: 25 5537 SEQ ID NO: 446 4211-4432 SEQ ID NOs: 4 5536 4433-4629 SEQ ID NOs: 30 5540 4630-4862 TSC2:NM_001318827 SEQ ID NOs: 24 5539 SEQ ID NO: 447 4863-5084 SEQ ID NOs: 3 5541 5085-5302 SEQ ID NOs: 29 5540 5303-5302

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a TSC2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a TSC2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 440. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 440 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 3, 24, 29 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, 25, 26, 31, 32 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, 25, 30 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, 25, 26, 31, or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 22, 27, 28 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, 25, 30 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 3, 24, 29 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 441. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 441 comprising a retained intron 24, a retained intron 3, a retained intron 29, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 442. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 442 comprising a retained intron 32, a retained intron 25, a retained intron 26, a retained intron 4, a retained intron 31 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 443. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 443 comprising a retained intron 25, a retained intron 4, a retained intron 30 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 444. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 444 comprising a retained intron 25, a retained intron 26, a retained intron 4, a retained intron 31 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 445. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 445 comprising a retained intron 27, a retained intron 28, a retained intron 22 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 446. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 446 comprising a retained intron 25, a retained intron 4, a retained intron 30 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 447. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 447 comprising a retained intron 24, a retained intron 3, a retained intron 29 or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 5536-5544. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 448-5535.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 24 or exon 25 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 24, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence about 2 to about 75 or about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 2 to about 150 or about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 24 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 24, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 435 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 432 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 29 or exon 30 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 29 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 6 to about 492 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 32 or exon 33 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 32, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence about 4 to about 49 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 33 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 33 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 32 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 32, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 32 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 32 sequence about 6 to about 495 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 32 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 32 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 32.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 25 or exon 26 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 2 to about 112 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 25 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 26 or exon 27 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 26, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 4 to about 111 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 26 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 26, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 435 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 432 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 31 or exon 32 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence about 2 to about 52 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 31 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000548. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 6 to about 331 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 16 to about 333 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 25 or exon 26 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 2 to about 142 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 25 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 435 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 432 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 30 or exon 31 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 30 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001077183. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 6 to about 492 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 25 or exon 26 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 2 to about 112 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 25 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 26 or exon 27 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 26, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 4 to about 111 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 26 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 26, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 26 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 26.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 435 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 432 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 31 or exon 32 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 31 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001114382. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 6 to about 492 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 31.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 27 or exon 28 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 27, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 27 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 28 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 28 sequence about 2 to about 52 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 27 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 27, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 27 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 27 sequence about 6 to about 331 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 27 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 27 sequence about 16 to about 333 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 27.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 28 or exon 29 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 28, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 28 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 28 sequence about 4 to about 49 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 28 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 28, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 28 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 28 sequence about 6 to about 495 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 28 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 28 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 28.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 22 or exon 23 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 22, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence about 2 to about 142 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 22 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 22, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318831. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 25 or exon 26 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 26 sequence about 2 to about 142 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 25 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 25, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 25 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 25.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 435 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 432 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 30 or exon 31 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 30 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 6 to about 492 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 24 or exon 25 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 24, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 24 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 25 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 24 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 24, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 24 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 24.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 69 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 127 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 497 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 29 or exon 30 of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence about 4 to about 184 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 29 in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318827. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 6 to about 492 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 16 to about 500 or about 36 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

The degree of intron retention can be represented using the metric percent intron retention (PIR), the percentage of transcripts in which a given intron is retained. In brief, PIR can be calculated as the percentage of the average number of reads mapping to the exon-intron junctions, over the sum of the average of the exon-intron junction reads plus the exon-exon junction reads.

Tuberin Protein Expression

More than 69% of tuberous sclerosis complex cases result from haploinsufficiency of TSC2, and disease in approximately two thirds of patients results from de novo mutation or deletion (Au, K., et al., J. Child Neurol., 2004, 19: 699-709)

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional tuberin protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a tuberin protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of tuberous sclerosis complex. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional tuberin protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the tuberin protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the tuberin protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein, wherein the subject has tuberous sclerosis complex caused by a deficient amount of activity of tuberin protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the tuberin protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the tuberin protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional tuberin protein, and a second allele from which the tuberin protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional tuberin protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional tuberin protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional tuberin protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional tuberin protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional tuberin protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional tuberin protein, and an increase in the expression of the tuberin protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional tuberin protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional tuberin protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional tuberin protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional tuberin protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the tuberin protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional tuberin protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of tuberin protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency, e.g., tuberous sclerosis complex, in the amount or function of a tuberin protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease or condition that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the tuberin protein is produced at a reduced level compared         to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the tuberin protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the tuberin protein or functional RNA is not produced; and         b. a second mutant allele from which     -   i) the tuberin protein is produced at a reduced level compared         to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the tuberin protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the tuberin protein is not produced, and

wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding tuberin protein and an increase in the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding tuberin protein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding TSC2 that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of tuberin protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the tuberin protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional tuberin protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional tuberin protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional tuberin protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional tuberin protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a TSC2 whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In embodiments, the subject has a TSC2 missense mutation selected from R611Q/W and R905W. In embodiments, the subject has TSC2 deletion mutation of at least 6 amino acids in exon 38. In embodiments, the subject has TSC2 substitution mutation of arginine 611 for tryptophan or glutamine. In embodiments, a subject having any TSC2 mutation known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by (Au, K., et al., J. Child Neurol., 2004, 19: 699-709), referenced above, is treated using the methods and compositions of the present invention.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Tuberin Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a tuberin protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding tuberin protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the tuberin protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein. In embodiments, the most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 4, 25, 26, 31, 32, 25 and 26, or 31 and 32. In embodiments, the most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 26. In embodiments, the most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 31. In some embodiments, the most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 26, and the second most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 31.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. In embodiments, the second most retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 4, 25, 26, 31, 32, 25 and 26, or 31 and 32. In some embodiments, the second most abundant retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the tuberin protein is intron 31.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the TSC2 gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the canonical sequence for the TSC2 gene found at NCBI Gene ID 7249. Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein, resulting in increased expression of TSC2. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the tuberin protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of tuberin protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of tuberin protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding TSC2, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding tuberin protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the tuberin protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding tuberin protein, or the mature mRNA encoding tuberin protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of tuberin protein in cells, for example, in a subject having Tuberous Sclerosis Complex caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of tuberin protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding tuberin protein, or the mature mRNA encoding tuberin protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding tuberin protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding tuberin protein, or the mature mRNA encoding tuberin protein and increasing the expression of tuberin protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein correctly removes a retained intron from a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA encoding tuberin protein, wherein the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding tuberin protein or the amount of tuberin protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the TSC2 gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding tuberin protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type TSC2 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type TSC2 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length TSC2 pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length TSC2 pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding tuberin protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of tuberin protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining non-complementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5, 6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 3, comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 3, comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 3, comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 3, comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 3, comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to +300, +6 to +200, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −6 to −200, −16 to −100, relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 29 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 28 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 19 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 17 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 16 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 14 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 13 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 12 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 11 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 10 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphor sulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers are a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating non-surfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. Multiple tissues and organs are affected by tuberous sclerosis complex, with the brain, kidney, skin, lung and heart being the most significantly affected tissues. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients topically to the skin or by pulmonary delivery to the lung. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the brain, kidney, skin, lung or heart. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a TSC2 RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by topical application to the skin, pulmonary delivery to the lung, intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts of the PKD2 gene, which encodes the PC-2 protein that is deficient in the debilitating genetic disease, Polycystic Kidney Disease, have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These PKD2 pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained PKD2 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated PC-2 protein levels. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice site of a retained-intron-containing PKD2 pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, PC-2 protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a disease caused by PC-2 deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention are used to increase PC-2 production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has condition in which PC-2 is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in PC-2 mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition is a caused by a PC-2 haploinsufficiency.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an autosomal dominant multisystem disorder characterized by the evolution of renal cysts and a variety of extrarenal manifestations (Torres and Harris, 2009). The main clinical and pathological findings are renal disease due to the development and enlargement of renal cysts, which results in renal manifestations such an increase in kidney volume that correlates directly with the increase in the cyst volume. Other PKD manifestations include hypertension; endothelial vasodilation; constrictive nitric oxide synthase activity; polycystic liver disease; vascular manifestations including intracranial aneurysms, thoracic aortic dissections and coronary artery aneurysms; and progressive renal failure that leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by age 70. While PKD can be diagnosed in utero or at birth through the use of fetal ultrasonography, PKD is classically diagnosed later in life through the detection of renal cysts as determined by renal ultrasound. The worldwide PKD prevalence is estimated to be between 1:400 and 1:1000, with a male/female sex ratio of −1.2 (Torres and Harris, 2009).

Mutations in either the PKD1 or PKD2 gene have been reported to cause PKD. Mutations in PKD1 typically manifest earlier in life than mutations in PKD2 (age at ESRD 54.3 vs. 74.0 years for PKD1 and PKD2, respectively) and typically result in a more severe disease state due to the appearance of cysts at a younger age (Torres and Harris, 2009). Due to this difference in pathophysiology, the late onset form of PKD generally arises from mutations in the PKD2 gene. PKD2 encodes the PC-2 protein, a 968 amino acid protein containing a short N-terminal cytoplasmic region with a ciliary motif, 6 transmembrane domains and a short C-terminal portion. The human genomic sequence of the PKD2 gene is set forth at NCBI Gene ID 5311, and the protein at UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot: Q13563-1, described by, e.g., Mochizuki T, et al., 1996, “PKD2, a gene for polycystic kidney disease that encodes an integral membrane protein,” Science 272:1339-1342, incorporated by reference herein. The PKD2 mRNA sequence is set forth at NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_000297.3.2, described by Yang Y, et al., 2015, “Oligomerization of the polycystin-2 C-terminal tail and effects on its Ca2+ binding properties,” J. Bio. Chem. 290 (16), 10544-10554, both incorporated by reference herein. Mutations in PKD2 cause late onset autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), the most prevalent of the inherited renal cystic diseases.

The PKD2 gene consists of 15 exons and is located on chromosome 4p22.1. PKD2 mutations in PKD are spread across the entire protein, with 95 truncating mutations of PKD2 reported in the ADPKD Mutation Database (maintained by the PKD Foundation, 8330 Ward Parkway, Suite 510, Kansas City, Mo. 64114). Because a homozygous deficiency in PKD2 is predicted to be incompatible with live birth, haploinsufficiency is the most likely mechanism of ADPKD disease manifestation (Torres and Harris, 2009). Mutations such as nonsense and insertions/deletions are associated with the classic ADPKD2 phenotype display functional haploinsufficiency. A PKD missense mutation that results in expression of the PC-2-D511V protein was predicted to be indistinguishable from wild-type PC-2 in terms of stability (Reynolds, et al., 1999, J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 10: 2342-2351). The PC-2-D511V variant, despite its stability, was shown to be dysfunctional due to a predicted disruption in its ability to act as an ion channel. Thus, even stable variants can cause the phenotype if the nascent activity is disrupted. The disease is described, e.g., by OMIM #613095 (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Johns Hopkins University, 1966-2015), incorporated by reference herein.

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods disclosed herein exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the PKD2 gene and encoding PC-2 protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of the identified PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, PKD2 mRNA, is induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature PKD2 mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of PC-2 protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of Polycystic Kidney Disease. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

PKD2 Nuclear Transcripts

As described herein in the Examples, the PKD2 gene was analyzed for intron-retention events and retention of intron 5 was observed. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, showed PKD2 transcripts expressed in renal epithelial cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. In both fractions, reads were not observed for the majority of the introns. However, higher read density was detected for intron 5 in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of intron 5 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts accumulate primarily in the nucleus and are not translated into the PC-2 protein. The read density for intron 5 indicated 18% intron retention (FIG. 29). The percent intron retention (PIR) value for intron 5 was obtained by averaging four values (23, 13, 22, and 14), each determined in renal epithelial cells using one of four different algorithms. Analysis of the ENCODE data (described by, e.g., Tilgner, et al., 2012, “Deep sequencing of subcellular RNA fractions shows splicing to be predominantly co-transcriptional in the human genome but inefficient for lncRNAs,” Genome Research 22(9):1616-25) to identify intron retention events did not identify intron 5 as retained.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PKD2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a PKD2 genomic sequence comprising retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 5545. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 5545 comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 5546. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 5546 comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 5825. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5824.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 5 of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 204 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5547-5587.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 5 in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence about 6 to about 497 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5588-5684.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA a comprising retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5685-5781.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 6 in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5782-5824.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 5. The PKD2 intron numbering used herein corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000297.3. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 5 and subsequently increases PC-2 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PKD2 mRNA isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any PKD2 isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000297.3. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PKD2 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000297.3. In embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to increase the expression of any known PKD2 isoform, e.g., as described in the NCBI Gene ID database at Gene ID 5311 (NCBI repository of biological and scientific information, operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894), incorporated by reference herein.

PC-2 Protein Expression

As described above, PC-2 mutations in ADPKD are spread across the entire protein, with 95 PC-2 truncating mutations having been reported in the ADPKD Mutation Database (PKD Foundation).

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional PC-2 protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a PC-2 protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition, e.g., Polycystic Kidney Disease. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional PC-2 protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the PC-2 protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the PC-2 protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein, wherein the subject has Polycystic Kidney Disease caused by a deficient amount of activity of PC-2 protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the PC-2 protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the PC-2 protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PC-2 protein, and a second allele from which the PC-2 protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PC-2 protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional PC-2 protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PC-2 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PC-2 protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PC-2 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional PC-2 protein, and an increase in the expression of the PC-2 protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PC-2 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PC-2 protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PC-2 protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional PC-2 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional PC-2 protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of PC-2 protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency, e.g., Polycystic Kidney Disease, in the amount or function of a PC-2 protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein.

In embodiments, the subject has:

(a) a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the PC-2 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the PC-2 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the PC-2 protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

(b) a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the PC-2 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the PC-2 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the PC-2 protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein         and an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding PC-2 that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PC-2 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the PC-2 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing in the pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional PC-2 protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional PC-2 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional PC-2 protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional PC-2 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a PKD2 whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In embodiments, the subject has a PC-2 missense mutation selected from M1K, P24L, R28P, A35D, R60N, S80L, Q107D, R119H, G121A, G135V, A147V, A190T, V262M, W292C, R306Q, L314V, R322W, R322Q, R325P, R325Q, C331S, S332A, Y324C, S349P, A356P, A384P, G390S, W414G, G418V, T419A, R420G, A421S, R440S, T448K, I452V, F482C, Y487H, D511V, V516L, L517R, V519M, A552P, I556V, N578D, N580K, M5831, A615T, F629S, C632R, R638C, L656W, L7151, I758V, R798C, M800L, S804N, R807Q, R848Q, D886G, R893G, V9091, D919N, T931M, R945H or S949F. In embodiments, the subject has a PC-2 deletion mutation selected from EX1_EX13del, IVS2_3′(ABCG2)del80kb*, IVS2_3′(ABCG2)del98 kb, IVS4+1452_IVS5-965del5722, S378del, F605del, IVS9_3′del28 kb, 2182_2183delAG, L736_N737del2 or R878del. In embodiments, the subject has PC-2 duplication mutation Ex3dup*. In embodiments, a subject having any PC-2 mutation known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Chang, et al., 2005, Ren Fail 27: 95-100, is treated using the methods and compositions of the present invention.

Use of TANGO for Increasing PC-2 Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a PC-2 protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding PC-2 protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the PC-2 protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein. In embodiments, the most retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein is intron 5.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g., in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g., in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g., nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention.

As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g., nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the PKD2 gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the canonical sequence for the PKD2 gene found at NCBI Gene ID 5311. Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, resulting in increased expression of PC-2. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the PC-2 protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of PC-2 protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of PC-2 protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding PC-2, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the PC-2 protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PC-2 protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of PC-2 protein in cells, for example, in a subject having Polycystic Kidney Disease caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of PC-2 protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PC-2 protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding PC-2 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PC-2 protein and increasing the expression of PC-2 protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein correctly removes a retained intron from a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA encoding PC-2 protein, wherein the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding PC-2 protein or the amount of PC-2 protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the PKD2 gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding PC-2 protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the methods described herein is a method wherein the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type PKD2 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type PKD2 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length PKD2 pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length PKD2 pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding PC-2 protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of PC-2 protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases that hybridize to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul, et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein, et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon, et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon, et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the disclosure, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 5, comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 5, comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 5, comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 5, comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 5, comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary, et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary, et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region of about +6 to about +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +497 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region about +6 to about +500, about +6 to about +490, about +6 to about +480, about +6 to about +470, about +6 to about +460, about +6 to about +450, about +6 to about +440, about +6 to about +430, about +6 to about +420, about +6 to about +410, about +6 to about +400, about +6 to about +390, about +6 to about +380, about +6 to about +370, about +6 to about +360, about +6 to about +350, about +6 to about +340, about +6 to about +330, about +6 to about +320, about +6 to about +310, about +6 to about +300, about +6 to about +290, about +6 to about +280, about +6 to about +270, about +6 to about +260, about +6 to about +250, about +6 to about +240, about +6 to about +230, about +6 to about +220, about +6 to about +210, about +6 to about +200, about +6 to about +190, about +6 to about +180, about +6 to about +170, about +6 to about +160, about +6 to about +150, about +6 to about +140, about +6 to about +130, about +6 to about +120, about +6 to about +110, about +6 to about +100, about +6 to about +90, about +6 to about +80, about +6 to about +70, about +6 to about +60, about +6 to about +50, about +6 to about +40, about +6 to about +30, or about +6 to about +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (in the 5′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by negative numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region of about −4e to about −210e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site (the first three nucleotides located upstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides −4e and about −204e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region about −4e to about −210e, about −4e to about −200e, about −4e to about −190e, about −4e to about −180e, about −4e to about −170e, about −4e to about −160e, about −4e to about −150e, about −4e to about −140e, about −4e to about −130e, about −4e to about −120e, about −4e to about −110e, about −4e to about −100e, about −4e to about −90e, about −4e to about −80e, about −4e to about −70e, about −4e to about −60e, about −4e to about −50e, about −4e to about −40e, about −4e to about −30e, or about −4e to about −20e relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (in the 5′ direction) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region of about −16 to about −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −496 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region about −16 to about −500, about −16 to about −490, about −16 to about −480, about −16 to about −470, about −16 to about −460, about −16 to about −450, about −16 to about −440, about −16 to about −430, about −16 to about −420, about −16 to about −410, about −16 to about −400, about −16 to about −390, about −16 to about −380, about −16 to about −370, about −16 to about −360, about −16 to about −350, about −16 to about −340, about −16 to about −330, about −16 to about −320, about −16 to about −310, about −16 to about −300, about −16 to about −290, about −16 to about −280, about −16 to about −270, about −16 to about −260, about −16 to about −250, about −16 to about −240, about −16 to about −230, about −16 to about −220, about −16 to about −210, about −16 to about −200, about −16 to about −190, about −16 to about −180, about −16 to about −170, about −16 to about −160, about −16 to about −150, about −16 to about −140, about −16 to about −130, about −16 to about −120, about −16 to about −110, about −16 to about −100, about −16 to about −90, about −16 to about −80, about −16 to about −70, about −16 to about −60, about −16 to about −50, about −16 to about −40, or about −16 to about −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by positive numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region of about +2e to about +220e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1e relative to the 3′ splice site (the first nucleotide located downstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +2e and +212e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region about +2e to about +220e, about +2e to about +210e, about +2e to about +200e, about +2e to about +190e, about +2e to about +180e, about +2e to about +170e, about +2e to about +160e, about +2e to about +150e, about +2e to about +140e, about +2e to about +130e, about +2e to about +120e, about +2e to about +110e, about +2e to about +100e, about +2e to about +90e, about +2e to about +80e, about +2e to about +70e, about +2e to about +60e, about +2e to about +50e, about +2e to about +40e, about +2e to about +30e, about +2e to about +20e, or about +2e to about +10e relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent, or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose). The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancer is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. Multiple tissues and organs are affected by Polycystic Kidney Disease, with the kidney being the most significantly affected tissue. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection.

Subjects are evaluated for response to treatment using any appropriate markers. In embodiments, subjects with kidney disease are evaluated for response to treatment by measuring specific markers for kidney disease, including creatinine, creatinine clearance, blood pressure, 24-hour urine volume, 24-hour urine protein, vWAg and platelet aggregation by arachidonic acid.

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a PKD2 RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site. In some embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled from about 210 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site, to about 500 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site. In some embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled from about 500 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site, to about 220 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa 18 and Retinitis Pigmentosa 13

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts of the PRPF3 and PRPF8 genes, which encode the PRPF3 protein, deficient in RP18, and the PRPF8 protein, deficient in RP13, respectively, have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These PRPF3 and PRPF8 pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained PRPF3 or PRPF8 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein levels, respectively. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice site of a retained-intron-containing PRPF3 or PRPF8 pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein deficiency. In other embodiments, the methods of the invention are used to increase PRPF3 or PRPF8 production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has condition in which PRPF3 or PRPF8 is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in PRPF3 or PRPF8 mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition is a caused by a PRPF3 or PRPF8 haploinsufficiency.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) describes a debilitating group of eye disorders, including RP18, caused by a deficiency in the PRPF3 protein, and RP13, caused by a deficiency in the PRPF8 protein. Subjects having RP experience loss of night vision in the early phase of the disorder. Over time, loss of vision begins to occur, which eventually leads to tunnel vision. This loss in vision can be attributed to a dysfunction in the rod photoreceptor system. As the disorder progresses, the afflicted patient may lose a significant portion of their cone photoreceptors before experiencing loss of visual acuity (Berger et al., 2010).

The overall prevalence of RP diseases is estimated to be about 1:3500. The mutation of over 40 genes has been correlated to incidence of RP disease through three patterns of inheritance: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked. The genes that have been implicated in the progression of RP diseases can be grouped into five main categories: i) phototransduction, ii) retinal metabolism, iii) tissue development and maintenance, iv) cellular structure, and v) splicing. The genes that comprise the splicing category (PRPF3, PRPF8, PRP31 and PAP1) are responsible for the assembly of the spliceosome protein complex that is responsible for removing intronic sequences from pre-mRNA. Studies have suggested that the progression of at least some cases of RP is due to haploinsuffiency, meaning that the presence of a single dysfunctional allele results in diminished expression of the corresponding protein (Berger et al., 2010).

PRPF3

The PRPF3 gene, which spans 16 exons and is located at 1q21.1, encodes the pre-mRNA processing factor 3 (PRPF3) protein. The PRPF3 canonical mRNA sequence is set forth at NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_004698. PRPF3 is a 77 kD, 682 amino acid protein that is involved in spliceosome assembly. Dysfunction of PRPF3 has been implicated in the progression of RP 18. It has been speculated that a retina-specific splicing element may interact with PRPF3 and generate the rod photoreceptor-specific phenotype.

Missense mutations P493S and T494M in PRPF3 have both been shown to display the RP18 phenotype, linking dysfunction of PRPF3 with the RP 18 phenotype (Berger et al., 2010). RP18 and the PRPF3 gene are described by, e.g., OMIM #601414 (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Johns Hopkins University, 1966-2015), incorporated by reference herein.

PRPF8

The PRPF8 gene, which spans 42 exons and is located at 17p13.3, codes for the pre-mRNA processing factor 8 (PRPF8) protein. The PRPF8 canonical mRNA sequence is set forth at NCBI Reference Sequence: NM_006445. PRPF8 is a 220 kD, 2,334 amino acid protein that is involved in spliceosome assembly. Dysfunction of PRPF8 has been implicated in the progression of RP13. PRPF8 mutants H2309P, H2309R, R2310K, P2301T, F2304L, R2310G and F2314L were found to result in the clinical phenotype of RP13, linking dysfunction of PRPF8 with RP13 (Berger et al., 2010). RP13 and the RP8 gene are described by, e.g., OMIM #600059 (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Johns Hopkins University, 1966-2015), incorporated by reference herein.

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the PRPF3 or the PRPF8 gene in the cell nucleus. Splicing of the identified RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, mRNA, is induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of PRPF3 protein or PRPF8 protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of RP18 or RP13, respectively. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

PRPF3 Nuclear Transcripts

As described herein in the Examples, the PRPF3 gene was analyzed for intron-retention events and retention of introns, e.g., introns 12 and 13, was observed. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), visualized in the UCSC genome browser, showed PRPF3 transcripts expressed in ARPE-19 cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. In both fractions, reads were not observed for the majority of the introns. However, higher read density was detected for introns 12 and 13 in the nuclear fraction compared to the cytoplasmic fraction indicating that splicing efficiency of introns 12 and 13 is low, resulting in intron retention. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts accumulate primarily in the nucleus and are not translated into the PRPF3 protein. The read density for introns 12 and 13, indicated 26%, and 33% intron retention, respectively. The percent intron retention (PIR) value for intron 12 was obtained by averaging four values (37, 35, 16, and 15). The PIR value for intron 13 was obtained similarly, by averaging the four values 34, 33, 34, and 31. Each value was determined in ARPE-19 (retinal pigmented epithelial) cells using one of four different algorithms.

In some embodiments, the PRPF3 intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_004698. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 12 and/or 13. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained PRPF3 introns 12 or 13 and subsequently increases PRPF3 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PRPF3 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any PRPF3 isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_004698. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PRPF3 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_004698. In embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to increase the expression of any known PRPF3 isoform, e.g., as described in the NCBI Gene ID database at Gene ID 9129 (NCBI repository of biological and scientific information, operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894), incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the PRPF8 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_006445. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 31. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained PRPF8 intron 31 and subsequently increases PRPF8 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PRPF8 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any PRPF8 isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_006445. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PRPF8 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_006445. In embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to increase the expression of any known PRPF8 isoform, e.g., as described in the NCBI Gene ID database at Gene ID 10594 (NCBI repository of biological and scientific information), incorporated by reference herein.

PRPF3

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PRPF3 genomic sequence (a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the PRPF3 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 5826. In some embodiments, the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 5828.

PRPF3: Retained Intron 12

In some embodiments, the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12. In some embodiments, when the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 6272. In some embodiments, when the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5830-6064. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 12 of PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5830-5848.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 12 in a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 6 to about 498 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5849-5946.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA a comprising retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 5947-6043.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 in a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6044-6064.

PRPF3: Retained Intron 13

In some embodiments, the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 13. In some embodiments, when the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 13, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 6271. In some embodiments, when the PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 13, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6065-6148. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 of PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 99 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6065-6084.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 146 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6085-6111.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 146 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA a comprising retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6112-6135.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 in a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 67 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6136-6148.

PRPF8

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PRPF8 genomic sequence (a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the PRPF8 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO. 5827. In some embodiments, the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO. 5829.

PRPF8: Retained Intron 31

In some embodiments, the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 31. In some embodiments, when the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 31, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 6273. In some embodiments, when the PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 31, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6149-6270. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 31 of PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6149-6175.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 31 in a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 6 to about 156 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6176-6206.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 31 sequence about 16 to about 156 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA a comprising retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6207-6235.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 32 in a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 32 sequence about 2 to about 172 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 31. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6236-6270.

Protein Expression

As described above, PRPF3 and PRPF8 mutations in RP diseases are spread across the entire protein. In some embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional PRPF3 protein. In other embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional PRPF8 protein. In other embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional PRPF3 protein or PRPF8 protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of an RP disease. In some embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional PRPF3 protein. In other embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional PRPF8 protein. In other embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the PRPF3 protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein, wherein the subject has an RP disease caused by a deficient amount of activity of PRPF3 protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the PRPF3 protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the PRPF3 protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF3 protein, and a second allele from which the PRPF3 protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF3 protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional PRPF3 protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF3 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PRPF3 protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PRPF3 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional PRPF3 protein, and an increase in the expression of the PRPF3 protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the PRPF8 protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF8 protein, wherein the subject has an RP disease caused by a deficient amount of activity of PRPF8 protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the PRPF8 protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the PRPF8 protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF8 protein, and a second allele from which the PRPF8 protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF8 protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional PRPF8 protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF8 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PRPF8 protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PRPF8 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional PRPF8 protein, and an increase in the expression of the PRPF8 protein in the cells of the subject.

In some embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF3 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PRPF3 protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PRPF3 protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional PRPF3 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional PRPF3 protein in the cells of the subject.

In other embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional PRPF8 protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional PRPF8 protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional PRPF8 protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional PRPF8 protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the PRPF8 protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional PRPF8 protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of PRPF3 protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency, e.g., RP18, in the amount or function of a PRPF3 protein.

In other related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of PRPF8 protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF8 protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency, e.g., RP13, in the amount or function of a PRPF8 protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the PRPF3 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the PRPF3 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the PRPF3 protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the PRPF3 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the PRPF3 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the PRPF3 protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 protein         and an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i. the PRPF8 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii. the PRPF8 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii. the PRPF8 protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i. the PRPF8 protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii. the PRPF8 protein is produced in a form having reduced         function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii. the PRPF8 protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding PRPF8 protein         and an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a PRPF3 or PRPF8 whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In some embodiments, the subject has a PRPF3 missense mutation selected from P493S and T494M. In other embodiments, the subject has a PRPF8 missense mutation selected from H2309P, H2309R, R2310K, P2301T, F2304L, R2310G and F2314L. In embodiments, a subject having any mutation known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by McKie et al 2001 referenced above, is treated using the methods and compositions of the present invention.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 and/or PRPF8 protein. In embodiments, the most retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein is intron 12. In embodiments, the most retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein is intron 13. In some embodiments, the most retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF8 protein is intron 31.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. ENCODE data (described by, e.g., Tilgner, et al., 2012, “Deep sequencing of subcellular RNA fractions shows splicing to be predominantly co-transcriptional in the human genome but inefficient for lncRNAs,” Genome Research 22(9):1616-25) can be used to aid in identifying retained introns.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. In embodiments, the second-most abundant retained intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein is intron 12. In embodiments, the second-most abundant retained intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNA encoding the PRPF3 protein is intron 13.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the PRPF3 or PRPF8 gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information. As used herein, the “wild-type PRPF3 sequence” refers to the canonical sequence available at NCBI Gene ID 9129. As used herein, the “wild-type PRPF8 sequence” refers to the canonical sequence available at NCBI Gene ID 10594. Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, resulting in increased expression of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, respectively. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 and/or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of PRPF3 and/or PRPF8 protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein in cells, for example, in a subject having RP caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, or the mature mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein and increasing the expression of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein correctly removes a retained intron from a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein, wherein the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein or the amount of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the PRPF3 or PRPF8 gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type PRPF3 or PRPF8 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type PRPF3 or PRPF8 pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length PRPF3 or PRPF8 pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length PRPF3 or PRPF8 pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of PRPF3 or PRPF8 protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 6, comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 1, comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 6, comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 6, comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, including, but not limited to, any of the ASOs set forth herein in Table 6, comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancer is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. The eye is the most significantly affected tissue in RP13 and RP18. An ASO of the present invention may therefore be administered to a subject by intravitreal injection, by subretinal injection, or by topical application to the eye. In embodiments, an ASO of the present invention administered to a subject via an implant, e.g., an encapsulated drug implanted in the eye. In embodiments, RPE cells treated ex vivo with an ASO of the present invention are implanted in the eye, e.g., in encapsulated form. In embodiments, therapy is administered in conjunction with existing treatments for RP, e.g., oral acetazolamide, calcium channel blockers, lutein or zeaxanthin, oral valproic acid, or an immunosuppressive agent. In embodiments, ASOs are administered parenterally. In embodiments, ASOs of the present invention are administered to a subject orally, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

In embodiments, subjects treated using the methods and compositions are evaluated for improvement in condition using any methods known and described in the art.

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a PRPF3 or PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intravitreal injection, by subretinal injection, by topical application to the eye, or by an encapsulated drug implanted in the eye. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts encoding the: ATP1A2 protein, deficient in Familial hemiplegic migraine-2, Familial Basilar migraine, and Alternating hemiplegia of childhood; CACNA1A protein, deficient in Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), Familial hemiplegic migraine, and Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6; SETD5 protein, deficient in Mental retardation-23 (MRD23), and 3p25 microdeletion syndrome; SHANK3 protein, deficient in Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PHMDS), and Schizophrenia-15 (SCZD15); NF2 protein, deficient in Neurofibromatosis, type 2, Meningioma, NF2-related, and Schwannomatosis 1; DNMT1 protein, deficient in Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE (HSN1E), Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy (ADCADN); TCF4 protein, deficient in Pitt-hopkins syndrome; RAI1 protein, deficient in Smith-magenis syndrome; PEX1 protein, deficient in PEROXISOME BIOGENESIS DISORDER 1A (Zellweger syndrome)(PBD1A), and Heimler syndrome-1 (HMLR1); ARSA protein, deficient in Metachromatic Leukodystrophy; EIF2B5 protein/EIF2B1 protein/EIF2B2, deficient in Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM); NPC1 protein, deficient in Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D; ADAR protein, deficient in Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6 (AGS6); MFSD8 protein, deficient in Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-7; STXBP1 protein, deficient in early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4; PRICKLE2 protein, deficient in progressive myoclonic epilepsy 5; PRRT2 protein, deficient in familial infantile convulsion with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, or benign familial infantile seizuers-2; IDUA protein, deficient in attenuated MPS-1 (Hurler-scheie syndrome); and STX1B protein, deficient in generalized Epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9 have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, and STX1B pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B deficiency.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B deficiency.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B haploinsufficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B haploinsufficiency.

In additional embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B haploinsufficiency.

In embodiments, the described compositions and methods are used to treat a subject or patient having a CNS disease or condition that is caused by a deficiency in the target protein. In embodiments the described compositions and methods are used to treat a subject or patient having a CNS disease or condition that is not caused by a deficiency in the target protein. In embodiments, the subject or patient having a CNS disease or condition can benefit from increased production of the target protein by supplementing normal production of the target protein. In embodiments, the target protein acts on a secondary target to ameliorate or treat the CNS disease or condition in the subject. In embodiments, the secondary target protein is deficient in the subject. In embodiments, the secondary target protein is not deficient in the subject.

ATP1A2

ATP1A2, encodes the α2 isoform of Na+K+-ATPase (sodium potassium ATPase). The α2 isoform belongs to the family of P-type cation transport ATPases, and to the subfamily of Na+/K+-ATPases. Na+/K+-ATPase is an integral membrane protein responsible for establishing and maintaining the electrochemical gradients of Na and K ions across the plasma membrane. These gradients are essential for osmoregulation, for sodium-coupled transport of a variety of organic and inorganic molecules, and for electrical excitability of nerve and muscle.

Na+/K+-ATPase transfers Na+ out and K+ into the cell, using ATP as energy source. Na+/K+ ATPases are present in all human cells; however, the α2 isoform is mainly restricted to the brain and muscle. Na+/K+-ATPases that include the α-2 subunit are primarily found in glia cells, particularly in astrocytes, where they contribute to the glial clearance of high extracellular K+ to prevent further depolarization. Through its action in glia, the Na+/K+-ATPase plays a critical role in the normal function of neurons. Communication between neurons depend neurotransmitters. Briefly, neurons release neurotransmitters, which bind to receptor proteins on neighboring neurons. After the neurotransmitters have had their effect, neurotransmitters detach from their receptors and are removed from the spaces between neurons by glia. The Na+/K+ ATPase helps regulate this process by stimulating glia to clear neurotransmitters from the spaces between neurons. Na+/K+-ATPases also removes excess potassium ions from these spaces. In humans, mutations in ATP1A2 are associated with genetic diseases, for example familial hemiplegic migraine-2 (FHM2), familial basilar migraine and alternating hemiplegia of childhood.

Familial Hemiplegic Migraine-2

Familial hemiplegic migraine-2 (FHM2) and familial basilar migraine are caused by heterozygous mutation in ATP1A2. FHM2 is a monogenic variant of migraine with aura. Migraines can cause intense, throbbing pain in one area of the head, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. These recurrent headaches can begin in childhood or adolescence and can be triggered by certain foods, emotional stress, and minor head trauma. Each headache may last from a few hours to a few days. In some types of migraine, including familial hemiplegic migraine, a pattern of neurological symptoms called an aura precedes the headache. The most common symptoms associated with an aura are temporary visual changes such as blind spots (scotomas), flashing lights, zig-zagging lines, and double vision. In people with familial hemiplegic migraine, auras are also characterized by temporary numbness or weakness, often affecting one side of the body (hemiparesis). Additional features of an aura can include difficulty with speech, confusion, and drowsiness. An aura can develops gradually over a few minutes and lasts about an hour. Familial hemiplegic migraine episodes includes fever, seizures, prolonged weakness, coma, and, rarely, death. Although most people with familial hemiplegic migraine recover completely between episodes, neurological symptoms such as memory loss and problems with attention can last for weeks or months. About 20 percent of people with this condition develop mild but permanent difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia), which may worsen with time, and rapid, involuntary eye movements called nystagmus.

FHM 2 is caused by mutations present in ATP1A2. The mutations and deficiencies in ATP1A2 that cause FHM2 are responsible for approximately 20% of FHM in families. There are over 50 mutations in ATP1A2 that have been identified in association with FHM2. Almost all FHM2 mutations are non-synonymous SNPs, but there are also small deletions and a mutation affecting the stop codon, causing an extension of the ATP1A2 protein by 27 amino acid residues. Most of the mutations are associated with pure FHM without additional clinical symptoms. ATP1A2 is expressed primarily in astrocytes in the adult, where it appears functionally coupled to various transporters (glutamate transporter and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger), and is essential in the clearance of released glutamate and potassium from the extracellular space during neuronal activity. FHM2 mutations that cause loss of function of ATP1A2 may lead to decreased glutamate clearance and an increase of potassium in the synaptic cleft during neuronal activity, which could lead to prolonged recovery time after neuronal excitation, and may render the brain to be more susceptible to cortical spreading depression. Cortical spreading depression is a wave of continual strong neuronal depolarization that slowly progresses across the cortex, generating a brief intense spike of activity that is followed by long-lasting neural suppression. Cortical spreading depression has been shown to activate the trigeminovascular system which is responsible for the headache associated with migraines.

There are two hypothesized mechanisms for the effects of ATP1A2 mutations. First, the mutations cause an increase in extracellular potassium, which can result in the impaired clearance of potassium ions and therefore induce Cortical spreading depression. Second, since the distribution of ATP1A2 is co-localized with the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, the mutations to ATP1A2 would cause intracellular sodium to increase, which increases intracellular calcium levels through the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, resulting in glutamate release and a decrease in glutamate clearance which can also lead to Cortical spreading depression. Both hypotheses result in making the brain more susceptible to Cortical spreading depression and therefore migraines with aura.

Recently, a number of ATP1A2 mutations were reported to be associated with FHM and cerebellar problems, specifically motor problems, childhood convulsions, epilepsy, and mental retardation. Some ATP1A2 mutations have been shown to be associated with non-hemiplegic migraine phenotypes, such as basilar migraine and the common migraine.

Familial Basilar Migraine

Basilar migraine is a subtype of migraine with aura in which the aura symptoms originate from the brainstem or reflect the simultaneous involvement of both hemispheres.

Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood

Alternating hemiplegia of childhood is an autosomal dominant condition. Alternating hemiplegia of childhood can result from new mutations in the gene and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. The primary feature of this condition is recurrent episodes of temporary paralysis, often affecting one side of the body (hemiplegia). During some episodes, the paralysis alternates from one side to the other or affects both sides of the body at the same time. The known ATP1A2 gene mutation associated with this condition replaces a single amino acid in Na+/K+ ATPase: the amino acid threonine is replaced with the amino acid asparagine at protein position 378. This genetic change can impair the protein's ability to transport ions. In addition to paralysis, affected individuals can have sudden attacks of uncontrollable muscle activity; these can cause involuntary limb movements (choreoathetosis), muscle tensing (dystonia), movement of the eyes (nystagmus), or shortness of breath (dyspnea). Individuals with alternating hemiplegia of childhood may also experience sudden redness and warmth (flushing) or unusual paleness (pallor) of the skin. These attacks can occur during or separately from episodes of hemiplegia. The episodes of hemiplegia or uncontrolled movements can be triggered by certain factors, such as stress, extreme tiredness, cold temperatures, or bathing, although the trigger is not always known. The number and length of the episodes initially worsen throughout childhood but then begin to decrease over time. The uncontrollable muscle movements may disappear entirely, but the episodes of hemiplegia occur throughout life. Alternating hemiplegia of childhood also causes mild to severe cognitive problems. Almost all affected individuals have some level of developmental delay and intellectual disability. Their cognitive functioning typically declines over time.

CACNA1A

The CACNA1A gene encodes the alpha-1 subunit of the calcium channel CaV2.1. Voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels not only mediate the entry of Ca(2+) ions into excitable cells but are also involved in a variety of Ca(2+)-dependent processes, including muscle contraction, hormone or neurotransmitter release, and gene expression. Diriong et al. (1995) noted that calcium channels are multisubunit complexes and that the channel activity is directed by a pore-forming alpha-1 subunit, which is often sufficient to generate voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel activity. This subunit forms the pore through which calcium ions can flow. CaV2.1 channels play an essential role in neuronal communication. These channels help control the release of neurotransmitters, and are involved in neuronal plasticity. Different mutations in the alpha-1 subunit the CaV2.1 calcium channel are responsible for familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6). Missense and splice site mutations have been found in FHM and episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), respectively, whereas a CAG repeat in the CACNA1A gene was found expanded in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6).

Episodic Ataxia Type 2 (EA2)

Episodic ataxia is a group of related conditions that affect the nervous system and cause problems with movement. People with episodic ataxia have recurrent episodes of poor coordination and balance (ataxia). During these episodes, many affected individuals also experience dizziness (vertigo), nausea and vomiting, migraine headaches, blurred or double vision, slurred speech, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Seizures, muscle weakness, and paralysis affecting one side of the body (hemiplegia) may also occur during attacks. Additionally, some affected individuals have a muscle abnormality called myokymia during or between episodes. This abnormality can cause muscle cramping, stiffness, and continuous, fine muscle twitching that appears as rippling under the skin.

Episodes of ataxia and other symptoms can begin anytime from early childhood to adulthood. They can be triggered by environmental factors such as emotional stress, caffeine, alcohol, certain medications, physical activity, and illness. The frequency of attacks ranges from several per day to one or two per year. Between episodes, some affected individuals continue to experience ataxia, which may worsen over time, as well as involuntary eye movements called nystagmus.

Researchers have identified at least seven types of episodic ataxia, designated type 1 through type 7. The types are distinguished by their pattern of signs and symptoms, age of onset, length of attacks, and, when known, genetic cause.

More than 50 mutations in the CACNA1A gene have been found to cause episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), the most common form of episodic ataxia. In addition to problems with coordination and balance (ataxia), EA2 is associated with involuntary eye movements called nystagmus. The CACNA1A mutations responsible for EA2 reduce the production of functional CaV2.1 channels or prevent these channels from reaching the cell membrane, where they are needed to transport calcium ions. A decrease in the number of these channels reduces the total flow of calcium ions into neurons, which disrupts the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Although changes in signaling between neurons underlie the episodes of uncoordinated movement seen in people with episodic ataxia, it is unclear how altered calcium ion transport causes the specific features of the condition.

Familial Hemiplegic Migraine

At least 20 mutations in the CACNA1A gene have been identified in people with familial hemiplegic migraine type 1 (FHM1). FHM is characterized by an aura of hemiplegia that is always associated with at least one other aura symptom (e.g., hemianopsia, hemisensory deficit, aphasia). The aura is followed by a moderate to severe headache. In FHM1, the aura includes temporary numbness or weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis). Like EA2, FHM1 is commonly associated with ataxia and nystagmus. Most of the mutations that cause FHM1 change single amino acids in the CaV2.1 channel. The most common mutation, which has been found in more than a dozen affected families, replaces the amino acid threonine with the amino acid methionine at protein position 666.

The CACNA1A mutations responsible for familial hemiplegic migraine change the structure of the CaV2.1 channel. The altered channels open more easily than usual, which increases the inward flow of calcium ions. A greater influx of calcium ions through CaV2.1 channels increases the cell's release of neurotransmitters. The resulting changes in signaling between neurons lead to development of these severe headaches in people with familial hemiplegic migraine. Approximately 50% of families with FHM, including all those with permanent cerebellar symptoms, have missense mutations in CACNA1A [Battistini et al 1999, Ducros et al 1999, Friend et al 1999].

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 is a late-onset, autosomal dominant disorder. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is another disorder caused by CACNA1A gene mutations. The major features of this condition include progressive ataxia, nystagmus, and impaired speech (dysarthria), most often beginning in a person's forties or fifties. SCA6 results from an increased number of copies (expansion) of the CAG trinucleotide repeat in the CACNA1A gene. Most cases of SCA6 are a result of CAG repeat expansion beyond the normal range, i.e., more than 19 repeats. In people with this condition, the CAG segment is repeated from 20 to more than 30 times. An increase in the length of the CAG segment leads to the production of an abnormally long version of the alpha-1 subunit. The abnormal subunit is found in the cell membrane as well as in the cytoplasm, where it clusters together and forms aggregates. The effect these aggregates have on cell functioning is unknown. The lack of normal calcium channels impairs the cells' ability to transport calcium ions. These changes alter the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and eventually lead to the death of neurons. Certain neurons called Purkinje cells seem to be particularly sensitive to a disruption in calcium transport. Purkinje cells are located in the part of the brain that coordinates movement (cerebellum). Over time, the loss of Purkinje cells and other cells of the cerebellum causes the movement problems characteristic of SCA6.

SETD5

SETD5 expression in adult brain, followed by spinal cord, most isolated adult brain regions, and ovary. Much lower expression was detected in other adult peripheral tissues and in fetal brain and liver. The SETD5 gene encodes a 1,442-residue protein that is a putative methyltransferase. Mutations in this gene have been associated with autosomal dominant mental retardation-23.

Mental Retardation-23 (MRD23)

Autosomal dominant mental retardation-23 (MRD23) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the SETD5 gene on chromosome 3p25. Mental retardation, autosomal dominant 23 (MRD23) is a disorder characterized by significantly below average general intellectual functioning associated with impairments in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period. MRD23 patients manifest moderate to severe intellectual disability with additional variable features of brachycephaly, a low hairline, depressed nasal bridge, prominent high nasal root, tubular nose, upslanting palpebral fissures, long and smooth philtrum, micrognathia, thin upper lip, and crowded teeth. Behavioral problems, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, hand flapping with ritualized behavior, and autism, are prominent features. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry.

3p25 Microdeletion Syndrome

De novo loss-of-function mutations in SETD5, encoding a methyltransferase in a 3p25 microdeletion syndrome critical region, causes intellectual disability. Characteristic features of the distal 3p-syndrome include low birth weight, microcephaly, trigonocephaly, hypotonia, psychomotor and growth retardation, ptosis, telecanthus, downslanting palpebral fissures, and micrognathia. Postaxial polydactyly, renal anomalies, cleft palate, congenital heart defects (especially atrioventricular septal defects), preauricular pits, sacral dimple, and gastrointestinal anomalies are variable features. Although intellectual deficits are almost invariably associated with cytogenetically visible 3p deletions, rare patients with a 3p26-p25 deletion and normal intelligence or only mild abnormalities have been described.

SHANK3

In humans, SHANK3 encodes SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3), also known as proline-rich synapse-associated protein 2 (ProSAP2). Northern blot analysis indicated that human PSAP2 is expressed primarily in brain as 7- and 8-kb transcripts. The SHANK3 gene spans 60 kb and contains 22 exons. In rats and humans, PSAP2 is expressed preferentially in cerebral cortex and cerebellum. This gene is a member of the Shank gene family. Shank proteins are multidomain scaffold proteins of the postsynaptic density that connect neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and other membrane proteins to the actin cytoskeleton and G-protein-coupled signaling pathways. Shank proteins also play a role in synapse formation and dendritic spine maturation. SHANK3 is one of the genes disrupted in patients with the 22q13.3 deletion syndrome, also known as Phelan-McDermid syndrome.

Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PHMDS)

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PHMDS) can be caused by a heterozygous contiguous gene deletion at chromosome 22q13 or by mutation in the SHANK3 gene. Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a developmental disorder with variable features. Common features include neonatal hypotonia, global developmental delay, normal to accelerated growth, absent to severely delayed speech, autistic behavior, and minor dysmorphic features. Other less common features associated with this syndrome included increased tolerance to pain, dysplastic toenails, chewing behavior, fleshy hands, dysplastic ears, pointed chin, dolichocephaly, ptosis, tendency to overheat, and epicanthic folds. Researchers have showed that Phelan-McDermid syndrome neurons have reduced SHANK3 expression and major defects in excitatory, but not inhibitory, synaptic transmission. Excitatory synaptic transmission in Phelan-McDermid syndrome neurons could be corrected by restoring SHANK3 expression or by treating neurons with insulin-like growth factor-1. IGF1 treatment promoted formation of mature excitatory synapses that lack SHANK3 but contained PSD95 and NMDA receptors with fast deactivation kinetics.

Schizophrenia-15 (SCZD15)

Susceptibility to schizophrenia-15 (SCZD15) has been associated with mutation in the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains-3 gene (SHANK3). Schizophrenia-15 is a complex, multifactorial psychotic disorder or group of disorders characterized by disturbances in the form and content of thought (e.g. delusions, hallucinations), in mood (e.g. inappropriate affect), in sense of self and relationship to the external world (e.g. loss of ego boundaries, withdrawal), and in behavior (e.g., bizarre or apparently purposeless behavior). Although it affects emotions, it is distinguished from mood disorders in which such disturbances are primary. Similarly, there may be mild impairment of cognitive function, and it is distinguished from the dementias in which disturbed cognitive function is considered primary. Some patients manifest schizophrenic as well as bipolar disorder symptoms and are often given the diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.

NF2

The NF2 gene encodes the protein merlin, also known as schwannomin. Merlin is a membrane-cytoskeleton scaffolding protein, i.e. linking actin filaments to cell membrane or membrane glycoproteins. Human merlin is predominantly found in nervous tissue, but also in several other fetal tissues, and is mainly located in adherens junctions. NF2 belongs to the tumor suppressor group of genes. The phosphorylation of serine 518 is known to alter the functional state of merlin. The signaling pathway of merlin is proposed to include several salient cell growth controlling molecules, including eIF3c, CD44, protein kinase A, and p21 activated kinases. Mutations of the NF2 gene cause a human autosomal dominant disease called neurofibromatosis type 2. It is characterized by the development of tumors of the nervous system, most commonly of bilateral vestibular schwannomas (also called acoustic neuromas).

Neurofibromatosis, Type 2

Neurofibromatosis type II is caused by mutation in the gene encoding neurofibromin-2, which is also called merlin, on chromosome 22q12.2. Neurofibromatosis type II is an inheritable disorder with an autosomal dominant mode of transmission. Incidence of the disease is about 1 in 60,000. Through statistics, it is suspected that one-half of cases are inherited, and one-half are the result of new, de novo mutations.

More than 200 mutations in the NF2 gene have been identified in people with neurofibromatosis type 2. About 90 percent of NF2 mutations result in an abnormally shortened version of the merlin protein. This short protein cannot perform its normal tumor suppressor function in cells. Research suggests that the loss of merlin allows cells, especially Schwann cells, to multiply too frequently and form noncancerous tumors. The most common tumors in neurofibromatosis type 2 are vestibular schwannomas, which develop along the nerve that carries information from the inner ear to the brain. Other tumors affecting the nervous system also occur in people with this condition. Somatic mutations in the NF2 gene are involved in the development of several types of tumors, both noncancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant).

It is known that merlin's deficiency can result in unmediated progression through the cell cycle due to the lack of contact-mediated tumor suppression, sufficient to result in the tumors characteristic of Neurofibromatosis type II. Mutations of NF II is presumed to result in either a failure to synthesize merlin or the production of a defective peptide that lacks the normal tumor-suppressive effect.

Meningioma, NF2-Related

Somatic mutations in the gene encoding merlin NF2 on chromosome 22q12 have also been found in tumor tissues of a subset of patients with meningiomas without other features of neurofibromatosis-2. Meningioma, is a relatively common neoplasm of the central nervous system that arises from arachnoidal cells. The majority are well differentiated vascular tumors which grow slowly and have a low potential to be invasive, although malignant subtypes occur. Meningiomas have a predilection to arise from the parasagittal region, cerebral convexity, sphenoidal ridge, olfactory groove, and spinal canal. Meningiomas tend to present in the fourth to sixth decades of life with signs indicative of a slowly progressive mass lesion. Specific clinical manifestations depend on the location of the tumor, but may include intracranial hypertension, cranial neuropathies, ataxia, and other focal neurologic signs. Most meningiomas are benign; only a very small percentage of meningiomas become malignant. Many meningiomas are asymptomatic, producing no symptoms throughout a person's life, and if discovered, require no treatment other than periodic observation. Typically, symptomatic meningiomas are treated with either radiosurgery or conventional surgery. Historical evidence of meningiomas has been found going back hundreds of years, with some successful surgeries for their removal beginning in the 1800s.

Schwannomatosis 1

Individual schwannoma tumors from patients with schwannomatosis have been found to harbor somatic mutations in the neurofibromin-2 gene (NF2). Schwannomas are benign tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath that usually occur singly in otherwise normal individuals. Multiple schwannomas in the same individual suggest an underlying tumor predisposition syndrome. The most common such syndrome is neurofibromatosis II. The hallmark of NF2 is the development of bilateral vestibular nerve schwannomas, but two-thirds or more of all NF2-affected individuals develop schwannomas in other locations, and dermal schwannomas (or neurilemmomas) may precede vestibular tumors in NF2-affected children.

DNMT1

The DNMT1 gene encodes the enzyme DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1. This enzyme is involved in DNA methylation. In particular, the enzyme helps add methyl groups to cytosines. DNA methylation is important in many cellular functions. These functions include gene silencing, regulating reactions involving proteins and lipids, and controlling the processing of neurotransmitters. DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 is active in the adult nervous system. Although its specific function is not well understood, the enzyme may help regulate neuron maturation and differentiation, the ability of neurons to migrate where needed and connect with each other, and neuron survival. In vitro functional expression studies in E. coli and HeLa cells showed that the mutations affected proper folding of DNMT1 and resulted in premature degradation, reduced methyltransferase activity, and impaired heterochromatin binding during the G2 cell cycle phase, leading to global hypomethylation and site-specific hypermethylation. These changes indicated epigenetic dysregulation.

Hereditary Sensory Neuropathy Type IE (HSN1E)

Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE (HSN1E) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the DNMT1 gene on chromosome 19p13. Hereditary sensory neuropathy type IE is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by adult onset of progressive peripheral sensory loss associated with progressive hearing impairment and early-onset dementia. At least three DNMT1 gene mutations have been identified in people with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN IE), a disorder characterized by a gradual dementia, deafness, and sensory problems in the feet. HSAN IE is further characterized by impaired function of sensory neurons, which transmit information about sensations such as pain, temperature, and touch. Sensations in the feet and legs are particularly affected in people with HSAN IE. Gradual loss of sensation in the feet (peripheral neuropathy), which usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, can lead to difficulty walking. Affected individuals may not be aware of injuries to their feet, which can lead to open sores and infections. If these complications are severe, amputation of the affected areas may be required. HSAN IE is also characterized by a loss of the ability to sweat (sudomotor function), especially on the hands and feet. Sweating is a function of the autonomic nervous system, which also controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing. These other autonomic functions are unaffected in people with HSAN IE. The severity of the signs and symptoms of HSAN IE and their age of onset are variable, even within the same family. The mutations in exon 20, reduce or eliminate the DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 enzyme's methylation function. As a result, maintenance of the neurons that make up the nervous system is impaired. However, it is not known how the mutations cause the specific signs and symptoms of HSAN IE.

Autosomal Dominant Cerebellar Ataxia, Deafness, and Narcolepsy (ADCADN)

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy (ADCADN) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the DNMT1 gene on chromosome 19p13. ADCADN is an autosomal dominant neurologic disorder characterized by adult onset of progressive cerebellar ataxia, narcolepsy/cataplexy, sensorineural deafness, and dementia. More variable features include optic atrophy, sensory neuropathy, psychosis, and depression.

At least three DNMT1 gene mutations have been identified in people with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, and narcolepsy. The mutations associated with this disorder are in exon 2 the DNMT1 gene. Mutations in different locations within the gene may affect the DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 enzyme differently, which can lead to particular combinations of signs and symptoms.

TCF4

TCF4 encodes transcription factor 4, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. The encoded protein recognizes an Ephrussi-box (‘E-box’) binding site (‘CANNTG’)—a motif first identified in immunoglobulin enhancers. This gene is broadly expressed, and may play an important role in nervous system development. The TCF4 protein is found in the brain, muscles, lungs, and heart. This protein also appears to be active in various tissues before birth. The TCF4 protein plays a role cell differentiation and apoptosis.

Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome

Pitt-Hopkins syndrome is characterized by mental retardation, wide mouth and distinctive facial features, and intermittent hyperventilation followed by apnea. Pitt-Hopkins syndrome is linked to haploinsufficiency of the TCF4 transcription factor gene. At least 50 mutations in the TCF4 gene have been found to cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Some mutations delete a nucleotide within the TCF4 gene, while other mutations delete the TCF4 gene as well as a number of genes that surround it. Still other TCF4 gene mutations replace single nucleotides. The size of the mutation does not appear to affect the severity of the condition; individuals with large deletions and those with single nucleotide changes seem to have similar signs and symptoms. TCF4 gene mutations disrupt the protein's ability to bind to DNA and control the activity of certain genes. These gene mutations typically do not affect the TCF4 protein's ability to bind to other proteins. The TCF4 protein's inability to bind to DNA and control the activity of certain genes, particularly those genes involved in nervous system development and function, contributes to the signs and symptoms of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. It is also likely that the loss of the normal proteins that are attached to the nonfunctional TCF4 proteins contribute to the features of this condition.

RAI1

The RAI1 gene encodes Retinoic acid-induced protein 1. Retinoic acid-induced protein 1 is an important transcriptional regulator of the circadian clock components: CLOCK, ARNTL/BMAL1, ARNTL2/BMAL2, PER1/3, CRY1/2, NR1D1/2 and RORA/C. Retinoic acid-induced protein 1 positively regulates the transcriptional activity of CLOCK a core component of the circadian clock. Retinoic acid-induced protein 1 regulates transcription through chromatin remodeling by interacting with other proteins in chromatin as well as proteins in the basic transcriptional machinery. Retinoic acid-induced protein 1 may be important for embryonic and postnatal development. Retinoic acid-induced protein 1 may be involved in neuronal differentiation. Mutations in one copy of this gene lead to the production of a nonfunctional version of the RAI1 protein or reduce the amount of this protein that is produced.

Smith-Magenis Syndrome

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is caused in most cases (90%) by a 3.7-Mb interstitial deletion in chromosome 17p11.2. The disorder can also be caused by mutations in the RAI1 gene, which is within the Smith-Magenis chromosome region. Smith-Magenis syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. The major features of this condition include mild to moderate intellectual disability, delayed speech and language skills, distinctive facial features, sleep disturbances, and behavioral problems. Most people with Smith-Magenis syndrome have a broad, square-shaped face with deep-set eyes, full cheeks, and a prominent lower jaw. The middle of the face and the bridge of the nose often appear flattened. The mouth tends to turn downward with a full, outward-curving upper lip. These facial differences can be subtle in early childhood, but they usually become more distinctive in later childhood and adulthood. Dental abnormalities are also common in affected individuals. Disrupted sleep patterns are characteristic of Smith-Magenis syndrome, typically beginning early in life. Affected individuals may be very sleepy during the day, but they have trouble falling asleep and awaken several times each night. Individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome have affectionate, engaging personalities, but most also have behavioral problems. These include frequent temper tantrums and outbursts, aggression, anxiety, impulsiveness, and difficulty paying attention. Self-injury, including biting, hitting, head banging, and skin picking, is very common. Repetitive self-hugging is a behavioral trait that may be unique to Smith-Magenis syndrome. Individuals with this condition also compulsively lick their fingers and flip pages of books and magazines (a behavior known as “lick and flip”). Other signs and symptoms of Smith-Magenis syndrome include short stature, abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), reduced sensitivity to pain and temperature, and a hoarse voice. Some people with this disorder have ear abnormalities that lead to hearing loss. Affected individuals may have eye abnormalities that cause nearsightedness (myopia) and other vision problems. Although less common, heart and kidney defects also have been reported in people with Smith-Magenis syndrome. A small percentage of individuals with Smith-Magenis syndrome have a mutation in the RAIL gene instead of a chromosomal deletion. Although these individuals have many of the major features of the condition, they are less likely than people with a chromosomal deletion to have short stature, hearing loss, and heart or kidney abnormalities.

PEX1

The PEX1 gene encodes peroxisomal biogenesis factor 1 (Pex1p), which is part of a group of proteins called peroxins. Peroxins are essential for the formation and normal functioning of cell structures called peroxisomes. Peroxisomes are sac-like compartments that contain enzymes needed to break down many different substances, including fatty acids and certain toxic compounds. They are also important for the production of lipids used in digestion and in the nervous system. Peroxins assist in the biogenesis of peroxisomes by producing the membrane that separates the peroxisome from the rest of the cell and by importing enzymes into the peroxisome. Pex1p enables other peroxins to bring enzymes into the peroxisome.

Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorder 1a (Zellweger Syndrome)(PBD1A)

Zellweger syndrome (PBD1A) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the PEX1 gene on chromosome 7q21-q22. Zellweger syndrome is an autosomal recessive systemic disorder characterized clinically by severe neurologic dysfunction, craniofacial abnormalities, and liver dysfunction, and biochemically by the absence of peroxisomes. Most severely affected individuals with classic Zellweger syndrome phenotype die within the first year of life.

At least 114 mutations in the PEX1 gene have been identified in people with Zellweger spectrum disorder. The conditions' features, which vary in severity, can include weak muscle tone (hypotonia), developmental delay, and vision and hearing problems. Mutations in the PEX1 gene are the most common cause of Zellweger spectrum disorder and are found in nearly 70 percent of affected individuals. There are two common PEX1 gene mutations found in people with Zellweger spectrum disorder. One mutation replaces the amino acid glycine with the amino acid aspartic acid at position 843 in Pex1p (written as Gly843Asp or G843D). This mutation leads to reduced levels of the protein. Individuals who have the G843D mutation tend to have signs and symptoms that are at the less-severe end of the condition spectrum. The other common mutation, which is known as the 1700fs mutation, leads to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional Pex1p. Individuals who have the 1700fs mutation often have signs and symptoms that are at the severe end of the condition spectrum. Mutations in the PEX1 gene that cause Zellweger spectrum disorder reduce or eliminate the activity of the Pex1p protein. Without enough functional Pex1p, enzymes are not properly imported into peroxisomes. As a result, cells contain empty peroxisomes that cannot carry out their usual functions. The severe end of the condition spectrum is caused by the absence of functional peroxisomes within cells. The less severe end of the condition spectrum results from mutations that allow some peroxisomes to form.

Heimler Syndrome-1 (HMLR1)

Heimler syndrome-1 (HMLR1) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the PEX1 gene on chromosome 7q21. Heimler syndrome-1 (HMLR1), represents the mildest end of the peroxisomal biogenesis disorder spectrum. Heimler syndrome-1 is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, enamel hypoplasia of the secondary dentition, and nail abnormalities.

ARSA

The ARSA encodes enzyme arylsulfatase A. This enzyme is localized in lysosomes. Arylsulfatase A aids the processing of sulfatides. For example, Arylsulfatase A hydrolyzes cerebroside sulfate to cerebroside and sulfate. Sulfatides are a subgroup of sphingolipids, a category of fats that are important components of cell membranes. Sulfatides are abundant in the nervous system's white matter, consisting of nerve fibers covered by myelin.

Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

Metachromatic leukodystrophy is caused by mutation in the arylsulfatase A gene (ARSA) on chromosome 22q13. Metachromatic leukodystrophy is an inherited disorder characterized by the accumulation of sulfatides in cells. This accumulation especially affects cells in the nervous system that produce myelin. Sulfatide accumulation in myelin-producing cells causes progressive destruction of white matter (leukodystrophy) throughout the nervous system, including in the central nervous system and the nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to muscles and sensory cells that detect sensations such as touch, pain, heat, and sound (the peripheral nervous system). In individuals with metachromatic leukodystrophy, white matter damage causes progressive deterioration of intellectual functions and motor skills, such as the ability to walk. Affected individuals also develop loss of sensation in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy), incontinence, seizures, paralysis, an inability to speak, blindness, and hearing loss. Eventually they lose awareness of their surroundings and become unresponsive. While neurological problems are the primary feature of metachromatic leukodystrophy, effects of sulfatide accumulation on other organs and tissues have been reported, most often involving the gallbladder.

The most common form of metachromatic leukodystrophy, affecting about 50 to 60 percent of all individuals with this disorder, is called the late infantile form. This form of the disorder usually appears in the second year of life. Affected children lose any speech they have developed, become weak, and develop problems with walking (gait disturbance). As the disorder worsens, muscle tone generally first decreases, and then increases to the point of rigidity. Individuals with the late infantile form of metachromatic leukodystrophy typically do not survive past childhood. In 20 to 30 percent of individuals with metachromatic leukodystrophy, onset occurs between the age of 4 and adolescence. In this juvenile form, the first signs of the disorder may be behavioral problems and increasing difficulty with schoolwork. Progression of the disorder is slower than in the late infantile form, and affected individuals may survive for about 20 years after diagnosis.

The adult form of metachromatic leukodystrophy affects approximately 15 to 20 percent of individuals with the disorder. In this form, the first symptoms appear during the teenage years or later. Often behavioral problems such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or difficulties at school or work are the first symptoms to appear. The affected individual may experience psychiatric symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. People with the adult form of metachromatic leukodystrophy may survive for 20 to 30 years after diagnosis. During this time there may be some periods of relative stability and other periods of more rapid decline.

EIF2b5/EIF2B1/EIF2B2

The EIF2B5, EIF2B1 and EIF2B2 genes encodes a subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B), a heteropentameric guanine nucleotide exchange factor necessary for the proper function of the translation initiation factor eIF2, and an essential regulator for protein synthesis. eIF2B catalyzes the exchange of GDP for GTP. Under some conditions, eIF2B increases protein synthesis under other conditions, eLF2B slows protein synthesis. Proper regulation of protein synthesis is vital for ensuring that the correct levels of protein are available for the cell to cope with changing conditions. Mutations in eIF2B can cause partial loss of eIF2B function. Impairment of eIF2B function makes it more difficult for cells to regulate protein synthesis and deal with changing conditions and stress.

Leukoencephalopathy with Vanishing White Matter (VWM)

Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) can be caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in any of the 5 genes encoding subunits of the translation initiation factor EIF2B: EIF2B1 on chromosome 12q24, EIF2B2 on chromosome 14q24, EIF2B3 on chromosome 1p34, EIF2B4 on chromosome 2p23, or EIF2B5 on chromosome 3q27. Vanishing white matter leukodystrophy is an autosomal recessive neurologic disorder characterized by variable neurologic features, including progressive cerebellar ataxia, spasticity, and cognitive impairment associated with white matter lesions on brain imaging. The age at onset can range from early infancy to adulthood. Rapid neurologic deterioration can occur following minor head trauma. Female mutation carriers may develop ovarian failure, manifest as primary amenorrhea or as secondary amenorrhea lasting more than 6 months, associated with elevated gonadotropin levels at age less than 40 years.

Neurologic deterioration usually begins in late infancy or early childhood, but juvenile- and adult-onset cases have been described. Mild and severe cases have been observed, even within families. The neurologic signs include progressive cerebellar ataxia, spasticity, inconstant optic atrophy, and relatively preserved mental abilities. Disease is chronic-progressive with, in most individuals, additional episodes of rapid deterioration following febrile infections or minor head trauma. Head trauma leads only to motor deterioration, whereas infections with fever may end in coma. Death occurs after a variable period of several years to a few decades, usually following an episode of fever and coma. MRI is diagnostic and shows a diffuse abnormality of the cerebral white matter beginning in the presymptomatic stage. Both MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicate that, with time, an increasing amount of the abnormal white matter vanishes and is replaced by cerebrospinal fluid. The mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive.

NPC1

NPC1 encodes Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1), a large protein that resides in the limiting membrane of endosomes and lysosomes and mediates intracellular cholesterol trafficking via binding of cholesterol to its N-terminal domain. It is predicted to have a cytoplasmic C-terminus, 13 transmembrane domains, and 3 large loops in the lumen of the endosome—the last loop being at the N-terminus. This protein transports low-density lipoproteins to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments where they are hydrolized and released as free cholesterol.

Mutations in NPC1 leads to a shortage of NPC1, which prevents movement of cholesterol and other lipids, leading to their accumulation in cells. Because these lipids are not in their proper location in cells, many normal cell functions that require lipids (such as cell membrane formation) are impaired. The accumulation of lipids as well as the cell dysfunction eventually leads to cell death, causing the tissue and organ damage seen in Niemann-Pick disease types C1.

Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1 and Niemann-Pick Disease Type D

Niemann-Pick disease type C1 and Niemann-Pick disease type D, also known as the Nova Scotian type, are caused by mutation in the NPC1 gene. Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder characterized by progressive neurodegeneration. Approximately 95% of cases are caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene, referred to as type C1; 5% are caused by mutations in the NPC2 gene, referred to as type C2. The clinical manifestations of types C1 and C2 are similar because the respective genes are both involved in egress of lipids, particularly cholesterol, from late endosomes or lysosomes. Niemann-Pick disease types C1 and C2 usually become apparent in childhood, although signs and symptoms can develop at any time. People with these types usually develop difficulty coordinating movements (ataxia), an inability to move the eyes vertically (vertical supranuclear gaze palsy), poor muscle tone (dystonia), severe liver disease, and interstitial lung disease. Individuals with Niemann-Pick disease types C1 and C2 have problems with speech and swallowing that worsen over time, eventually interfering with feeding. Affected individuals often experience progressive decline in intellectual function and about one-third have seizures.

ADAR

ADAR (adenosine deaminase acting on RNA) encodes Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase. ADAR catalyzes the deamination of adenosine to inosine in dsRNA substrates, induces translation within the nucleus, possibly at the surface of the nucleolus. ADAR catalyzes the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) referred to as A-to-I RNA editing. This may affect gene expression and function in a number of ways that include mRNA translation by changing codons and hence the amino acid sequence of proteins; pre-mRNA splicing by altering splice site recognition sequences; RNA stability by changing sequences involved in nuclease recognition; genetic stability in the case of RNA virus genomes by changing sequences during viral RNA replication; and RNA structure-dependent activities such as microRNA production or targeting or protein-RNA interactions. ADAR can edit both viral and cellular RNAs and can edit RNAs at multiple sites (hyper-editing) or at specific sites (site-specific editing). ADAR cellular RNA substrates include: bladder cancer-associated protein (BLCAP), neurotransmitter receptors for glutamate (GRIA2) and serotonin (HTR2C) and GABA receptor (GABRA3). Site-specific RNA editing of transcripts encoding these proteins results in amino acid substitutions which consequently alters their functional activities. Exhibits low-level editing at the GRIA2 Q/R site, but edits efficiently at the R/G site and HOTSPOT1. Its viral RNA substrates include: hepatitis C virus (HCV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), measles virus (MV), hepatitis delta virus (HDV), and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). ADAR exhibits either a proviral (HDV, MV, VSV and HIV-1) or an antiviral effect (HCV) and this can be editing-dependent (HDV and HCV), editing-independent (VSV and MV) or both (HIV-1). ADAR impairs HCV replication via RNA editing at multiple sites. ADAR enhances the replication of MV, VSV and HIV-1 through an editing-independent mechanism via suppression of EIF2AK2/PKR activation and function. ADAR stimulates both the release and infectivity of HIV-1 viral particles by an editing-dependent mechanism where it associates with viral RNAs and edits adenosines in the 5′UTR and the Rev and Tat coding sequence. ADAR can enhance viral replication of HDV via A-to-I editing at a site designated as amber/W, thereby changing an UAG amber stop codon to an UIG tryptophan (W) codon that permits synthesis of the large delta antigen (L-HDAg) which has a key role in the assembly of viral particles. However, high levels of ADAR1 inhibit HDV replication.

Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome-6 (AGS6)

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome-6 (AGS6) can be caused by homozygous, compound heterozygous, or heterozygous mutation in the ADAR gene on chromosome 1q21.3. Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) manifests as an early-onset encephalopathy that usually, but not always, results in severe intellectual and physical handicap. A subgroup of infants with AGS present at birth with abnormal neurologic findings, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia, a picture highly suggestive of congenital infection. Otherwise, most affected infants present at variable times after the first few weeks of life, frequently after a period of apparently normal development. Typically, they demonstrate the subacute onset of a severe encephalopathy characterized by extreme irritability, intermittent sterile pyrexias, loss of skills, and slowing of head growth. Over time, as many as 40% develop chilblain skin lesions on the fingers, toes, and ears. It is becoming apparent that atypical, sometimes milder, cases of AGS exist, and thus the true extent of the phenotype associated with mutation of the AGS-related genes is not yet known. For example, mutation of ADAR has recently been associated with a clinical presentation of acute bilateral striatal necrosis.

MFSD8

MFSD8 gene, encodes a putative lysosomal transporter, on chromosome 4q28. The MFSD8 protein is found in lysosomes. The MFSD8 protein belongs to a large group of related proteins called the major facilitator superfamily of secondary active transporter proteins. Proteins in this family move certain molecules between structures in cells or in and out of cells. While it is likely that the MFSD8 protein transports molecules, the specific molecules it moves are unknown. The MFSD8 protein probably transports substances across the membranes of lysosomes.

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis-7

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis-7 (CLN7) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the MFSD8 gene, which encodes a putative lysosomal transporter, on chromosome 4q28. The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited, neurodegenerative, lysosomal storage disorders characterized by progressive intellectual and motor deterioration, seizures, and early death. Visual loss is a feature of most forms. Clinical phenotypes have been characterized traditionally according to the age of onset and order of appearance of clinical features into infantile, late-infantile, juvenile, adult, and Northern epilepsy (also known as progressive epilepsy with mental retardation).

STXBP1

STXBP1 gene, encodes a syntaxin-binding protein. The encoded protein can play a role in release of neurotransmitters via regulation of syntaxin, a transmembrane attachment protein receptor. Mutations in STXBP1 gene is associated with infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4. STXBP1 can participate in the regulation of synaptic vesicle docking and fusion, through interaction with GTP-binding proteins. STXBP1 can interact with syntaxins 1, 2, and 3 but not syntaxin 4. STXBP1 can play a role in determining the specificity of intracellular fusion reactions.

In humans, STXBP1 is expressed as a 4-kb transcript in various tissues. The highest levels of expression can be observed in the retina and cerebellum.

Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy-4

Epileptic encephalopathy, early infantile, 4 (EIEE4) is a severe form of epilepsy characterized by frequent tonic seizures or spasms beginning in infancy with a specific EEG finding of suppression-burst patterns, characterized by high-voltage bursts alternating with almost flat suppression phases. Affected individuals can have neonatal or infantile onset of seizures, profound mental retardation, and MRI evidence of brain hypomyelination.

In some cases, in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a heterozygous 1631G-A transition in the STXBP1 gene, resulting in a gly544-to-asp (G544D) substitution can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can develop seizures by age 10 days with a suppression-burst pattern on EEG. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can have profound mental retardation and spastic paraplegia at about age 37 years.

In some cases, in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a heterozygous 539G-A transition in the STXBP1 gene, resulting in a cys180-to-tyr (C180Y) substitution can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can have infantile onset of tonic and myoclonic seizures with suppression-burst pattern and hypsarrhythmia, delayed brain myelination, and spastic quadriplegia. In embodiments, mutations in the STXBP1 gene can impair structural stability, lower thermostability, and decrease binding to several functional synaptic proteins.

In some cases, in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a heterozygous 1328T-G transversion in the STXBP1 gene, resulting in a met443-to-arg (M443R) substitution can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can develop tonic seizures at age 6 weeks and can later have profoundly delayed development. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can have delayed brain myelination.

In some cases, in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a heterozygous 251T-A transversion in the STXBP1 gene, resulting in a val84-to-asp (V84D) substitution can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can develop tonic seizures at age 2 months with suppression-burst pattern and hypsarrhythmia, and can later show profound mental retardation.

In some cases, in a patient with Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a de novo heterozygous 1162C-T transition in exon 14 of the STXBP1 gene, resulting in an arg388-to-ter (R388X) substitution, predicted to truncate the domain-3 region, which together with domain-1 provides a binding surface for syntaxin-1 can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can have severe mental retardation, with hypotonia, abnormal gait, tremor, and/or seizures.

In some cases, in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a de novo heterozygous G-to-A transition in intron 3 of the STXBP1 gene, resulting in the creation of a stop codon downstream of exon 3 can be identified. In some cases, a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4 can have severe mental retardation, with hypotonia, abnormal gait, tremor, and/or seizures.

In some cases, in a patient with Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy-4, a de novo heterozygous 847G-A transition in the STXBP1 gene, resulting in a glu283-to-lys (E283K) substitution at a highly conserved residue can be identified.

PRICKLE2

The PRICKLE2 gene encodes a postsynaptic protein involved in neuronal architecture and function, prickle planar cell polarity protein 2. Mutations in this gene are associated with progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 5.

Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy 5

Epilepsy, progressive myoclonic 5 (EPM5) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by myoclonic seizures and variable neurologic symptoms including cognitive decline and persistent movement abnormalities.

In some cases, a heterozygosity for a complex mutation in the PRICKLE2 gene, a 443G-A transition, resulting in an arg148-to-his (R148H) substitution, and a 457G-A transition, resulting in a val153-to-ile (V153I) substitution can be identified in a progressive myoclonic epilepsy patient. In some cases, a heterozygous 1813G-T transversion in the PRICKLE2 gene, resulting in a val605-to-phe (V605F) substitution can be identified in a progressive myoclonic epilepsy patient.

PRRT2

The PRRT2 gene provides instructions for making the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2). The function of this protein is thought to be involved in signaling in the brain. Studies show that PRRT2 protein interacts with SNAP25, which is involved in signaling between nerve cells in the brain. SNAP25 helps control the release of neurotransmitters.

Familial Infantile Convulsion with Paroxysmal Choreoathetosis

Infantile Convulsions and paroxysmal ChoreoAthetosis (ICCA) syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by the occurrence of seizures during the first year of life (Benign familial infantile epilepsy) and choreoathetotic dyskinetic attacks during childhood or adolescence. Benign familial infantile epilepsy can begin at 3 to 12 months of age with a family history of the same type of seizures. Seizures are afebrile, partial or sometimes generalized, and normally disappear after the first year of life. During childhood or adolescence, affected individuals present with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia with frequent and recurrent episodic choreoathetotic or dystonic movements that last less than 1 minute. The attacks can be triggered by the initiation of voluntary movements or startle. The association with other paroxysmal disorders such as migraine, with or without aura, hemiplegic migraine, episodic ataxia and tics has also been described. The genetic loci of ICCA syndrome have been described on chromosomes 16p11.2-q12.1, 16q13-q22.1 and 3q29-29. Mutations in the Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene, located on 16p11.2, have recently been found in families affected by ICCA syndrome. This gene encodes a membrane protein that interacts with the presynaptic protein SNAP-25 but the mechanism leading to the disease remains unknown. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the appearance of infantile convulsions with benign evolution followed by kinesigenic dyskinesia attacks later on. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis can include other paroxysmal dystonias such as paroxysmal exertion-induced dyskinesia and paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia triggered by drugs or food intake (such as caffeine and alcohol). ICCA syndrome can present as sporadic or familial; in the latter case, it is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait that can be variably expressed within the same family. Antiepileptic drugs, mainly phenytoin or carbamazepine, can be effective in controlling seizures and dyskinesia during the active phase of the disorder.

In some cases, in patients familial infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, a heterozygous 950G-A transition in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a ser317-to-asn (S317N) substitution in a highly conserved residue can be identified.

In some cases, in patients with familial infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, a heterozygous C-to-T transition in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in an arg240-to-ter (R240X) substitution can be identified. In some cases, in patients with familial infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, a heterozygous 1-bp insertion (516insT) in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in premature termination at residue 173 can be identified. In some cases, in patients with familial infantile convulsions with paroxysmal choreoathetosis, a heterozygous 562C-T transition in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a gln188-to-ter (Q188X) substitution can be identified.

Episodic Kinesigenic Dyskinesia 1

Episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1 can be referred to as familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. Familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia is a disorder characterized by episodes of abnormal movement that range from mild to severe. In the condition name, paroxysmal indicates that the abnormal movements come and go over time, kinesigenic indicates that episodes are triggered by movement, and dyskinesia refers to involuntary movement of the body.

People with familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia experience episodes of irregular jerking or shaking movements that are induced by sudden motion, such as standing up quickly or being startled. An episode may involve slow, prolonged muscle contractions (dystonia); small, fast, “dance-like” motions (chorea); writhing movements of the limbs (athetosis); or, rarely, flailing movements of the limbs (ballismus). Familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia may affect one or both sides of the body. The type of abnormal movement varies among affected individuals, even among members of the same family. In many people with familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, a pattern of symptoms called an aura immediately precedes the episode. The aura is often described as a crawling or tingling sensation in the affected body part. Individuals with this condition do not lose consciousness during an episode and do not experience any symptoms between episodes.

Individuals with familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia usually begin to show signs and symptoms of the disorder during childhood or adolescence. Episodes typically last less than five minutes, and the frequency of episodes ranges from one per month to 100 per day. In most affected individuals, episodes occur less often with age.

In some people with familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia the disorder begins in infancy with recurring seizures called benign infantile convulsions. These seizures usually develop in the first year of life and stop by age 3. When benign infantile convulsions are associated with familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, the condition is known as infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA). In families with ICCA, some individuals develop only benign infantile convulsions, some have only familial paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and others develop both.

In some cases, in a patient with episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 1-bp duplication (649dupC) in exon 2 of the PRRT2 gene in the proline-rich domain, resulting in a frameshift and introduction of a stop codon 7 amino acids downstream of the insertion (Arg217ProfsTer8) can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 4-bp deletion (514delTCTG) in exon 2 of the PRRT2 gene in the proline-rich domain, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 1-bp deletion (972delA) in exon 3 of the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination in the second transmembrane motif can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, identified a heterozygous 487C-T transition in exon 2 of the PRRT2 gene can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 796C-T transition in exon 2 of the PRRT2 gene, resulting in an arg266-to-trp (R266W) substitution in a highly conserved residue can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with Episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 1-bp deletion (649delC) in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination (Arg217GlufsTer12) can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with Episodic kinesigenic dyskinesia 1, a heterozygous 748C-T transition in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a gln250-to-ter (Q250X) substitution in the N-terminal extracellular domain can be identified.

Benign Familial Infantile Seizuers-2

Benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE) is a genetic epileptic syndrome characterized by the occurrence of afebrile repeated seizures in healthy infants, between the third and eighth month of life. Although BFIE cases have been reported worldwide, prevalence and incidence remain unknown. In an Argentinian case series, BFIE have been listed as the third most common type of epilepsy in the first two years of life. Seizures usually occur between 3 to 8 months of life, with clusters (8-10 a day) of repeated and brief episodes (2-5 minutes) over a few days. They are usually focal but can sometimes become generalized. Patients present with motor arrest, unresponsiveness, head and/or eye deviation to one side, staring, fluttering of eyelids, grunting, cyanosis, diffuse hypertonia and unilateral or bilateral clonic jerks of the limbs. During the interictal period, patients regain full consciousness and activity. Psychomotor development is normal. A family history of the same epilepsy is a constant finding. A syndrome called familial infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis has been observed in which BFIE patients present in childhood and/or adolescence with choreoathetotic dyskinetic attacks occurring spontaneously or following diverse stimuli (e.g. exercise, stress). In some rare cases, BFIE has been associated with familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine.

BFIE is a genetically heterogeneous disease. In the majority of cases, mutations in the proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene located at 16p11.2 have been found. This gene encodes a membrane protein that interacts with the presynaptic protein SNAP-25. Mutations have also been found in the SCN2A gene (2q24.3) encoding the brain sodium channel NaV1.2 and rarely in the KCNQ2 (20q13.33) and KCNQ3 (8q24) genes both encoding potassium channels. Additionally, three other chromosomal loci have been identified that are mapped to chromosome 19q, 16p and 1p.

Family history can orient the diagnosis which can be based on electroencephalography (EEG) and video recordings. EEG can show that partial seizures originate from the parietal-occipital region and that the side of the hemisphere involved can vary between episodes. Seizures can sometimes spread and involve the entire brain. During a cluster of seizures, postictal EEG shows lateralized occipito-parietal delta waves and spikes. Outside the cluster, waking and sleeping interictal EEG is normal. Interictal neurological examination and brain imaging (brain CT and/or MRI) are normal. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis can include benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures, an epileptic syndrome with an intermediate onset between the neonatal and infantile age that shares overlapping clinical characteristics with BFIE and that is mainly due to mutations in the SCN2A gene. Other differential diagnoses are benign non-familial infantile seizures, benign infantile seizures associated with mild gastroenteritis and benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep (BIMSE)

BFIE is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. With anti-epileptic treatment (e.g. carbamazepine, valproate, phenobarbital), symptoms quickly disappear and no other type of epilepsy has been reported to reappear.

In some cases, in patients with benign familial infantile seizuers-2, a heterozygous 1-bp deletion (629delC) in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination (Pro210GlnfsTer19) can be identified. In some cases, in patients with benign familial infantile seizuers-2, a heterozygous 1-bp deletion (291delC) in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination (Asn98ThrfsTer17) can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Benign familial infantile seizuers-2, a heterozygous 1-bp deletion (c.650delG) in the PRRT2 gene, resulting in a frameshift and premature termination (Arg217GlnfsTer12) can be identified.

STX1B

The protein encoded by this gene belongs to a family of proteins thought to play a role in the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. Vesicle exocytosis releases vesicular contents and is important to various cellular functions. For instance, the secretion of transmitters from neurons plays an important role in synaptic transmission. After exocytosis, the membrane and proteins from the vesicle are retrieved from the plasma membrane through the process of endocytosis. Mutations in this gene have been identified as one cause of fever-associated epilepsy syndromes. A possible link between this gene and Parkinson's disease has also been suggested.

Syntaxins are cellular receptors for transport vesicles. One of these proteins, designated syntaxin 1B (STX1B), is directly implicated in the process of calcium-dependent synaptic transmission in rat brain. The expression of this protein is transiently induced by long-term potentiation of synaptic responses in the rat hippocampus. The protein may play an important role in the excitatory pathway of synaptic transmission, which is known to be implicated in several neurologic diseases.

Generalized Epilepsy with Febrile Seizure Plus Type 9

Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus-9 is an autosomal dominant neurologic disorder characterized by onset of febrile and/or afebrile seizures in early childhood, usually before age 3 years. Seizure types are variable and include generalized tonic-clonic, atonic, myoclonic, complex partial, and absence. Most patients have remission of seizures later in childhood with no residual neurologic deficits, but rare patients may show mild developmental delay or mild intellectual disabilities.

In some cases, in a patient with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9, a heterozygous c.166C-T transition in the STX1B gene, resulting in a gln56-to-ter (Q56X) substitution can be identified.

In some cases, in a patient with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9, a heterozygous complex insertion/deletion mutation in the STX1B gene c.133_134insGGATGTGCATTG, resulting in Lys45delinsArgMetCysIleGlu, and c.135_136AC-GA, resulting in a leu46-to-met (L46M) substitution) can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9, a heterozygous c.140C-A transversion in the STX1B gene, resulting in a ser47-to-ter (547X) substitution can be identified In some cases, in a patient with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9, identified a heterozygous c.657T-A transversion in the STX1B gene, resulting in a val216-to-glu (V216E) substitution at a highly conserved residue in the SNARE motif can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus type 9, a de novo heterozygous c.676G-C transversion in the STX1B gene, resulting in a gly226-to-arg (G226R) substitution at a highly conserved residue in the SNARE motif can be identified.

IDUA

The IDUA gene provides instructions for producing the enzyme alpha-L-iduronidase, which is essential for the breakdown of large sugar molecules, for example glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Through hydrolysis, alpha-L-iduronidase uses water molecules to break down unsulfated alpha-L-iduronic acid, which is present in heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Alpha-L-iduronidase can be located in lysosomes. More than 100 mutations in the IDUA gene have been found to cause mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). Many mutations that cause MPS I reduce or completely eliminate the function of alpha-L-iduronidase. It usually cannot be determined whether a certain mutation will cause severe or attenuated MPS I; however, people who do not produce alpha-L-iduronidase have the severe form of this disorder.

The lack of alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme activity leads to the accumulation of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate within the lysosomes. The buildup of GAGs increases the size of the lysosomes. The accumulated GAGs may also interfere with the functions of other proteins inside the lysosomes and disrupt the movement of molecules inside the cell.

Hurler-Scheie Syndrome

Hurler-Scheie syndrome is the intermediate form of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1) between the two extremes Hurler syndrome and Scheie syndrome, it is a rare lysosomal storage disease, characterized by skeletal deformities and a delay in motor development. The prevalence of MPS I has been estimated at 1/100,000, with Hurler-Scheie syndrome accounting for 23% of cases or a prevalence of approximately 1/435,000. Patients with Hurler-Scheie syndrome have normal or almost normal intelligence but exhibit various degrees of physical impairment. Patients present in the first years of life with musculoskeletal alterations to different degrees including short stature, multiple dysostosis, thoracic-lumbar kyphosis, progressive coarsening of the facial features to different degrees, cardiomyopathy and valvular abnormalities, neurosensorial hearing loss, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and nasal secretion. Hydrocephaly can occur after the age of two. Corneal opacity is seen between two and four years of age and requires keratoplasty to restore sight. Other manifestations may include organomegaly, hernias and hirsutism.

Hurler-Scheie syndrome is caused by mutations in the IDUA gene (4p16.3) leading to partial deficiency in the alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme and lysosomal accumulation of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate. Early diagnosis is difficult because the first clinical signs are not specific. Diagnosis can be based on detection of increased urinary secretion of heparan and dermatan sulfate through 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) test and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) electrophoresis, and demonstration of enzymatic deficiency in leukocytes or fibroblasts. Genetic testing is available. Differential diagnoses can include the milder and more severe forms of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (Scheie syndrome and Hurler syndrome respectively), mucopolysaccharidosis typeVI and mucopolysaccharidosis type II. Antenatal diagnosis is possible by measurement of enzymatic activity in cultivated chorionic villus or amniocytes and by genetic testing if the disease-causing mutation is known. Transmission is autosomal recessive. Bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant has been successful and can preserve neurocognition, improve some aspects of the somatic disease and increase survival. However, it is associated with many risks and most of the positive effects occur only if the procedure is performed in the first two years of life.

The enzyme substitute (laronidase) obtained EU marketing authorization as an orphan drug in 2003. Given through weekly infusions it leads to improvement of lung function and joint mobility. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) can be started at diagnosis and may be beneficial in patients awaiting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Early treatment can slow the progression of the disease. In individual patients with MPS1 of intermediate severity, HSCT may be considered if there is a suitable donor. There are however no data on the efficacy of HSCT in patients with this form of the disease.

Life expectancy for Hurler-Scheie syndrome may be reduced, with death occurring before adolescence due to serious cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

In some cases, in a patient with hurler scheie syndrome, homozygosity for an arg619-to-gly (R619G) mutation due to a C-to-G transversion at nucleotide 1943 can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with hurler scheie syndrome, homozygosity for a thr364-to-met (T364M) mutation in the IDUA gene can be identified.

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B gene and encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the CNS disease or conditions caused by deficiency in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

In some cases, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene and encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the CNS disease or conditions caused by deficiency in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

In some instances, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene and encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the CNS disease or conditions caused by deficiency in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

Nuclear Transcripts

ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. In some cases, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. In some cases, ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), can be visualized in the UCSC genome browser, and can show ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, MFSD8, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B transcripts expressed in human cortical neurons (HCN) or (AST) and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for this purpose are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

Table 7 provides a non-limiting list of target sequences of RIC pre-mRNA transcript of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, and STX1B by sequence ID, and ASOs by sequence ID, useful for increasing production of a protein by targeting a region of a RIC pre-mRNA of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for these purposes are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

TABLE 7 List of targets and ASOs that targeting a gene disclosed herein Target Gene Sequence SEQ ID Pre-mRNA Retained SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: ASOs Intron NO: ADAR ADAR:NM_001193495 SEQ ID NOs: 6354- 2 30656 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6293 6872 NO: 6274 ADAR:NM_015841 SEQ ID NOs: 6873- 2 30656 SEQ ID NO: 6294 7391 ADAR:NM_015840 SEQ ID NOs: 7392- 2 30656 SEQ ID NO: 6295 7910 ADAR:NM_001111 SEQ ID NOs: 7911- 2 30656 SEQ ID NO: 6296 8429 ADAR:NM_001025107 SEQ ID NOs: 8430- 2 30656 SEQ ID NO: 6297 8948 ATP1A2 ATP1A2:NM_000702 SEQ ID NOs: 8949- 22 30632 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6298 9575 NO: 6275 PRICKLE2 PRICKLE2:NM_198859 SEQ ID NOs: 9576- 4 30645 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6299 9825 NO: 6276 SETD5 SETD5:NM_001080517 SEQ ID NOs: 9826- 4 30659 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6300 9946 NO: 6277 SETD5:NM_001292043 SEQ ID NOs: 9947- 5 30659 SEQ ID NO: 6301 10067 EIF2B5 EIF2B5:NM_003907 SEQ ID NOs: 10068- 12 30649 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6302 10159 NO: 6278 SEQ ID NOs: 10160- 13 30637 10305 PEX1 PEX1:NM_000466 SEQ ID NOs: 10306- 10 30634 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6303 10476 NO: 6279 SEQ ID NOs: 10307- 19 30643 10718 SEQ ID NOs: 10719- 21 30653 10988 SEQ ID NOs: 10989- 14 30629 11098 PEX1:NM_001282677 SEQ ID NOs: 11099- 10 30634 SEQ ID NO: 6304 11269 SEQ ID NOs: 11100- 18 30643 11511 SEQ ID NOs: 11512- 20 30653 11781 SEQ ID NOs: 11782- 13 30629 11891 PEX1:NM_001282678 SEQ ID NOs: 11892- 10 30634 SEQ ID NO: 6305 12062 SEQ ID NOs: 11893- 19 30643 12304 SEQ ID NOs: 12305- 21 30653 12574 SEQ ID NOs: 12306- 14 30629 12684 STXBP1 STXBP 1 :NM_003165 SEQ ID NOs: 12685- 18 30627 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6306 12918 NO: 6278 SEQ ID NOs: 12919- 19 30624 13469 STXBP1:NM_001032221 SEQ ID NOs: 13470- 18 30633 SEQ ID NO: 6307 14026 EIF2B1 EIF2B1:NM_001414 SEQ ID NOs: 14027- 6 30626 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6308 14237 NO: 6279 EIF2B2 EIF2B2:NM_014239 SEQ ID NOs: 14238- 1 30631 SEQID SEQ ID NO: 6309 14326 NO: 6280 PRRT2 PRRT2:NM_001256443 SEQ ID NOs: 14327- SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6310 14983 1 30642 NO: 6281 PRRT2:NM_145239 SEQ ID NOs: 14984- 1 30638 SEQ ID NO: 6311 15294 PRRT2:NM_001256442 SEQ ID NOs: 15295- 1 30638 SEQ ID NO: 6312 15605 STX1B STX1B:NM_052874 SEQ ID NOs: 15606- 6 30658 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6313 15652 NO: 6282 SEQ ID NOs: 15653- 7 30648 15873 RAI1 RAI1:NM_030665 SEQ ID NOs: 15874- 4 30655 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6314 16076 NO: 6283 TCF4 TCF4:NM_001243236 SEQ ID NOs: 30660- 10 34789 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6315 30916 NO: 6284 TCF4:NM_001243235 SEQ ID NOs: 30917- 10 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6316 31173 TCF4:NM_001243234 SEQ ID NOs: 31174- 10 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6317 31432 TCF4:NM_001243233 SEQ ID NOs: 31433- 13 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6318 31689 TCF4:NM_001243232 SEQ ID NOs: 31690- 13 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6319 31948 TCF4:NM_001243231 SEQ ID NOs: 31949- 15 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6320 32205 TCF4:NM_003199 SEQ ID NOs: 32206- 17 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6321 32462 TCF4:NM_001306207 SEQ ID NOs: 32463- 16 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6322 32719 TCF4:NM_001306208 SEQ ID NOs: 32720- 13 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6323 32976 TCF4:NM_001243227 SEQ ID NOs: 32977- 16 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6324 33235 TCF4:NM_001243228 SEQ ID NOs: 33236- 17 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6325 33494 TCF4:NM_001243230 SEQ ID NOs: 33495- 16 34789 SEQ ID NO: 6326 33751 TCF4:NM_001243226 SEQ ID NOs: 33752- 18 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6327 34010 TCF4:NM_001083962 SEQ ID NOs: 34011- 17 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6328 34269 TCF4:NM_001330605 SEQ ID NOs: 34270- 12 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6329 34528 TCF4:NM_001330604 SEQ ID NOs: 34529- 17 34788 SEQ ID NO: 6330 34787 NPC1 NPC1:NM_000271 SEQ ID NOs: 19965- 15 30655 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6331 20033 NO: 6285 CACNA1A CACNA1A:NM_000068 SEQ ID NOs: 20034- 36 30657 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6332 20253 NO: 6286 SEQ ID NOs: 20254- 37 30650 20469 CACNA1A:NM_023035 SEQ ID NOs: 20470- 36 30657 SEQ ID NO: 6333 20689 SEQ ID NOs: 20690- 37 30650 20905 CACNA1A:NM_001174080 SEQ ID NOs: 20906- 36 30657 SEQ ID NO: 6334 21125 SEQ ID NOs: 21126- 37 30650 21341 CACNA1A:NM_001127222 SEQ ID NOs: 21342- 36 30657 SEQ ID NO: 6335 21561 SEQ ID NOs: 21562- 37 30650 21777 CACNA1A:NM_001127221 SEQ ID NOs: 21778- 36 30647 SEQ ID NO: 6336 21983 SEQ ID NOs: 21984- 37 30639 22187 DNMT1 DNMT1:NM_001379 SEQ ID NOs: 22188- 29 30644 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6337 22400 NO: 6287 SEQ ID NOs: 22401- 14 30635 22441 DNMT1:NM_001130823 SEQ ID NOs: 22442- 30 30644 SEQ ID NO: 6338 22654 SEQ ID NOs: 22655- 15 30635 22695 DNMT1:NM_001318730 SEQ ID NOs: 22696- 29 30644 SEQ ID NO: 6339 22908 SEQ ID NOs: 22909- 14 30635 22949 DNMT1:NM_001318731 SEQ ID NOs: 22950- 30 30644 SEQ ID NO: 6340 23162 SEQ ID NOs: 23163- 15 30635 23203 NF2 NF2:NM_181830 SEQ ID NOs: 23204- 14 30646 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6341 24115 NO: 6288 NF2:NM_181829 SEQ ID NOs: 24116- 15 30646 SEQ ID NO: 6342 25027 NF2:NM_181833 SEQ ID NOs: 25028- 4 30640 SEQ ID NO: 6343 25945 NF2:NM_181832 SEQ ID NOs: 25946- 16 30625 SEQ ID NO: 6344 26860 NF2:NM_181828 SEQ ID NOs: 26861- 15 30646 SEQ ID NO: 6345 27772 NF2:NM_016418 SEQ ID NOs: 27773- 16 30646 SEQ ID NO: 6346 28684 NF2:NM_000268 SEQ ID NOs: 28685- 15 30641 SEQ ID NO: 6347 29620 SHANK3 SHANK3:NM_033517 SEQ ID NOs: 29621- 16 30630 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6348 29808 NO: 6289 ARSA ARSA:NM_000487 SEQ ID NOs: 29808- 2 30651 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO: 6349 29895 NO: 6290 SEQ ID NOs: 29895- 3 30636 29971 ARSA:NM_001085425 SEQ ID NOs: 29972- 3 30651 SEQ ID NO: 6350 30058 SEQ ID NOs: 30059- 4 30636 30134 ARSA:NM_001085426 SEQ ID NOs: 30135- 3 30651 SEQ ID NO: 6351 30221 SEQ ID NOs: 30222- 4 30636 30297 ARSA:NM_001085427 SEQ ID NOs: 30298- 3 30651 SEQ ID NO: 6352 30384 SEQ ID NOs: 30385- 4 30636 30460 ARSA:NM_001085428 SEQ ID NOs: 30461- 2 30651 SEQ ID NO: 6353 30547 SEQ ID NOs: 30548- 3 30636 30623

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a ADAR genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a ADAR genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6274. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6274 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001193495. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015841. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015840. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001111. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001025107.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6293. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6293 comprising a retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6294. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6294 comprising a retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6295. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 62952 comprising a retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6296. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6296 comprising a retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6297. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6297 comprising a retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30656. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 6364-8948.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001193495. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 1566 or about 14 to about 1566 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 165 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001193495. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015841. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 1566 or about 14 to about 1566 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 165 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015841. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015840. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 1566 or about 14 to about 1566 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 165 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_015840. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001111. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 1566 or about 14 to about 1566 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 165 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001111. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001025107. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 1566 or about 14 to about 1566 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 165 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001025107. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ADAR RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a ATP1A2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a ATP1A2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6275. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6275 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 22, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000702.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6298. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6298 comprising a retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30632. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8949-9575.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 22 or exon 23 of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 22, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000702. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence about 4 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 23 sequence about 2 to about 2271 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 22 in a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 22, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000702. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence about 6 to about 498 or about 21 to about 498 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 22 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ATP1A2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 22.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PRICKLE2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a PRICKLE2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6276. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6276 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_198859.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6299. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6299 comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30645. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9576-9825.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_198859. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 119 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 187 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_198859. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRICKLE2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a SETD5 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a SETD5 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6277. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6277 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001080517. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 5, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001292043.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6300. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6300 comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6301. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6301 comprising a retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30659. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 9826-10067.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001080517. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 89 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 132 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001080517. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 204 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 204 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 5 or exon 6 of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001292043. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 4 to about 89 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence about 2 to about 132 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 5 in a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 5, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001292043. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence about 6 to about 204 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 5 sequence about 16 to about 204 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SETD5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 5.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a EIF2B5 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a EIF2B5 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6278. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6278 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 12, 13 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003907.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6302. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6302 comprising a retained intron 12, a retained intron 13, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30637 or 30649. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 10068-10305.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 12 or exon 13 of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003907. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 12 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 2 to about 105 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 12 in a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003907. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 6 to about 161 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 16 to about 164 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003907. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 4 to about 104 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 107 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003907. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 276 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 281 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PEX1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a PEX1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6279. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6279 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, 19, 21, 14 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, 18, 20, 13 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, 19, 21, 14 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6303. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6303 comprising a retained intron 10, a retained intron 19, a retained intron 21, a retained intron 14, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6304. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6304 comprising a retained intron 10, a retained intron 18, a retained intron 20, a retained intron 13, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6305. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6305 comprising a retained intron 10, a retained intron 19, a retained intron 21, a retained intron 14, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30629, 30653, 30643, or 30634. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 4033-641110306-12684.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 114 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 77 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 336 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 336 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 19 or exon 20 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 4 to about 84 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence about 2 to about 157 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 19 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 21 or exon 22 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 21, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence about 4 to about 214 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence about 2 to about 177 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 21 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 21, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence about 16 to about 497 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 or exon 15 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 4 to about 169 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 14 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000466. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 6 to about 121 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 16 to about 121 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 114 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 77 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 336 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 336 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 18 or exon 19 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 4 to about 84 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 2 to about 157 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 18 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 20 or exon 21 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 20, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence about 4 to about 214 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence about 2 to about 177 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 20 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 20, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 20 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 20 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 20 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 20 sequence about 16 to about 497 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 20.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 4 to about 169 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282677. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 121 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 121 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 114 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 77 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 336 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 336 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 19 or exon 20 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 4 to about 84 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence about 2 to about 157 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 19 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 21 or exon 22 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 21, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 21 sequence about 4 to about 214 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 22 sequence about 2 to about 177 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 21 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 21, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 21 sequence about 16 to about 497 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 21.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 or exon 15 of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 4 to about 169 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 2 to about 147 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 14 in a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001282678. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 6 to about 121 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 16 to about 121 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PEX1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a STXBP1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a STXBP1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6280. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6280 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 18, 19 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003165. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001032221.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6306. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6306 comprising a retained intron 18, a retained intron 19, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6307. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6307 comprising a retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30627, 30624, or 30633. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 12685-14026.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 18 or exon 19 of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003165. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 4 to about 136 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 2 to about 106 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 18 in a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003165. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 19 or exon 20 of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003165. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 4 to about 109 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 20 sequence about 2 to about 1922 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 19 in a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 19, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003165. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 19 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 19.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 18 or exon 19 of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001032221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 4 to about 136 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 2 to about 1922 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 18 in a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001032221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STXBP1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a EIF2B1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a EIF2B1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6281. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6281 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 6, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001414.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6380. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6380 comprising a retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30626. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14027-14237.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 6 or exon 7 of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 6, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001414. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence about 4 to about 49 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence about 2 to about 57 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 6 in a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 6, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001414. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence about 19 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a EIF2B2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a EIF2B2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6282. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6282 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_014239.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6309. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6309 comprising a retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30631. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14238-14326.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 1 or exon 2 of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_014239. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence about 4 to about 219 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 2 to about 102 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 1 in a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_014239. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 6 to about 70 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 16 to about 70 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a EIF2B2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PRRT2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a PRRT2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6283. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6283 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256443. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_145239. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256442.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6310. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6310 comprising a retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 38. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6311 comprising a retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6312. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6313 comprising a retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30642 or 30638. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 14327-15605.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 1 or exon 2 of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256443. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence about 4 to about 244 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 2 to about 2875 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 1 in a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256443. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 6 to about 333 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 16 to about 330 or about 26 to about 330 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 1 or exon 2 of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_145239. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence about 4 to about 219 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 2 to about 924 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 1 in a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_145239. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 6 to about 346 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 16 to about 345 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 1 or exon 2 of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256442. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 sequence about 4 to about 219 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 2 to about 924 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 1 in a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001256442. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 6 to about 346 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 sequence about 16 to about 345 or about 26 to about 345 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PRRT2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 1.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a STX1B genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a STX1B genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6284. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6284 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 6, 7 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_052874.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6313. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6313 comprising a retained intron 6, a retained intron 7, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30658 or 30648. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15606-15873.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 6 or exon 7 of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 6, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_052874. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 6 sequence about 4 to about 89 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence about 2 to about 57 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 6 in a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 6, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_052874. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence about 6 to about 99 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 6 sequence about 16 to about 94 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 6.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 7 or exon 8 of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 7, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_052874. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 7 sequence about 4 to about 54 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 8 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 8 sequence about 2 to about 117 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 7 in a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 7, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_052874. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 7 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 7 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 7 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 7 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a STX1B RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 7.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RAI1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a RAI1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6285. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6285 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_030665.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6314. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6314 comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30655. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 15874-16076.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_030665. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 74 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 32 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_030665. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a RAI1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a TCF4 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a TCF4 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6286. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6286 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243235. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243234. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243233. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243232. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243231. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003199. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306207. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306208. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243227. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243228. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243230. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243226. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001083962. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 12, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330605. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330604.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6315. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6315 comprising a retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6316. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6316 comprising a retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6317. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6317 comprising a retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6318. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6318 comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6319. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6319 comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6320. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6320 comprising a retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6321. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6321 comprising a retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6322. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6322 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6323. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6323 comprising a retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6324. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6324 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6325. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6325 comprising a retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6326. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6326 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6327. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6327 comprising a retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6328. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6328 comprising a retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6329. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6329 comprising a retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6330. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6330 comprising a retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 34788 or 34789. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 30660-30916.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243235. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243235. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 or exon 11 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243234. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243234. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243233. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243233. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243232. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243232. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243231. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243231. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 17 or exon 18 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003199. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 17 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_003199. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306207. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306207. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 13 or exon 14 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306208. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 13 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 13, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001306208. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 13 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 13.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243227. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243227. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 17 or exon 18 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243228. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 17 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243228. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243230. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 134 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243230. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 18 or exon 19 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243226. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 19 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 18 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 18, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243226. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 18 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 18.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 17 or exon 18 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001083962. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 17 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001083962. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 12 or exon 13 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330605. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 12 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 13 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 12 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 12, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330605. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 12 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 12.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 17 or exon 18 of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330604. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 18 sequence about 2 to about 212 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 17 in a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 17, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001330604. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 17 sequence about 16 to about 496 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 17.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a NPC1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a NPC1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6287. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6287 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000271.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6331. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6331 comprising a retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30655. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 19965-20033.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000271. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 109 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 122 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000271. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 61 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 61 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NPC1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a CACNA1A genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a CACNA1A genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6288. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6288 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 36, 37 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000068. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 36, 37 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_023035. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 36, 37 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001174080. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 36, 37 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127222. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 36, 37 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127221.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6332. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6332 comprising a retained intron 36, a retained intron 37, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6333. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6333 comprising a retained intron 36, a retained intron 37, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6334. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6334 comprising a retained intron 36, a retained intron 37, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6335. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6335 comprising a retained intron 36, a retained intron 37, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6336. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6336 comprising a retained intron 36, a retained intron 37, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30639, 30647, 30650, or 30657. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 20034-22187.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 36 or exon 37 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000068. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence about 4 to about 110 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 2 to about 79 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 36 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000068. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 37 or exon 38 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000068. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 4 to about 78 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence about 2 to about 87 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 37 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000068. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 36 or exon 37 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_023035. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence about 4 to about 110 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 2 to about 79 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 36 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_023035. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 37 or exon 38 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_023035. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 4 to about 78 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence about 2 to about 87 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 37 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_023035. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 36 or exon 37 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001174080. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence about 4 to about 110 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 2 to about 79 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 36 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001174080. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 6 to about 499 or about 16 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 37 or exon 38 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001174080. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 4 to about 78 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence about 2 to about 87 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 37 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001174080. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 36 or exon 37 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127222. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence about 4 to about 110 or about 14 to about 110 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 2 to about 79 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 36 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127222. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 6 to about 499 or about 16 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 37 or exon 38 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127222. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 4 to about 78 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence about 2 to about 87 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 37 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127222. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 36 or exon 37 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 36 sequence about 14 to about 110 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 2 to about 77 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 36 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 36, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 6 to about 499 or about 16 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 36 sequence about 16 to about 499 or about 21 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 36.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 37 or exon 38 of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 37 sequence about 4 to about 79 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 38 sequence about 2 to about 87 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 37 in a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 37, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001127221. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 37 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CACNA1A RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 37.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a DNMT1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a DNMT1 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6289. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6289 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 14, 29 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001379. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, 30 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001130823. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 14, 29 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318730. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, 30 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318731.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6337. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6337 comprising a retained intron 14, a retained intron 29, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6338. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6338 comprising a retained intron 15, a retained intron 30, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6339. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6339 comprising a retained intron 14, a retained intron 29, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6340. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6340 comprising a retained intron 15, a retained intron 30, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30635 or 30644. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 22188-23203.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 29 or exon 30 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001379. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence about 4 to about 173 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 2 to about 67 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 29 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001379. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 6 to about 429 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 16 to about 433 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 or exon 15 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001379. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 4 to about 29 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 2 to about 62 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 14 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001379. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 6 to about 61 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 16 to about 61 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 30 or exon 31 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001130823. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 4 to about 173 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 2 to about 67 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 30 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001130823. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 6 to about 429 or about 11 to about 429 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 16 to about 433 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001130823. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 29 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 62 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001130823. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 61 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 61 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 29 or exon 30 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318730. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 29 sequence about 4 to about 173 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 2 to about 67 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 29 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 29, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318730. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 6 to about 429 or about 11 to about 429 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 29 sequence about 16 to about 433 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 29.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 or exon 15 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318730. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 4 to about 29 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 2 to about 62 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 14 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318730. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 6 to about 61 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 16 to about 61 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 30 or exon 31 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318731. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 30 sequence about 4 to about 173 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 31 sequence about 2 to about 67 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 30 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 30, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318731. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 6 to about 429 or about 11 to about 429 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 30 sequence about 16 to about 433 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 30.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318731. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 29 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 62 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001318731. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 61 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 61 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a DNMT1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a NF2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a NF2 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6290. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6290 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181830. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181833. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181828. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_016418. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000268.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6341. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6341 comprising a retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6342. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6342 comprising a retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6343. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6343 comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6344. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6344 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6345. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6345 comprising a retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6346. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6346 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6347. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6347 comprising a retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30646, 30640, 30625, or 30641. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 23204-29620.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 14 or exon 15 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181830. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 14 sequence about 4 to about 24 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 14 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 14, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181830. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 14 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 14.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 24 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181829. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181833. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 64 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181833. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 39 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181832. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181828. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 24 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_181828. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_016418. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 24 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_016418. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 15 or exon 16 of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000268. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 15 sequence about 4 to about 144 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 2 to about 3828 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 15 in a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 15, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000268. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 15 sequence about 16 to about 500 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a NF2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 15.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a SHANK3 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a SHANK3 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6291. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6291 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_033517.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6348. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6348 comprising a retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 30630. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 29621-29808.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 16 or exon 17 of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 16 sequence about 4 to about 114 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 17 sequence about 2 to about 62 or about 7 to about 62 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 16 in a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 16, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000214. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 6 to about 499 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 16 sequence about 16 to about 498 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a SHANK3 RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 16.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a ARSA genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript from a ARSA genomic sequence comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6292. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 6292 comprising a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, 3 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000487. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 3, 4 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085425. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 3, 4 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085426. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 3, 4 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085427. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprising a retained intron at 2, 3 or a combination thereof, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085428.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6349. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6349 comprising a retained intron 2, a retained intron 3, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6350. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6350 comprising a retained intron 3, a retained intron 4, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6351. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6351 comprising a retained intron 3, a retained intron 4, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6352. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6352 comprising a retained intron 3, a retained intron 4, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6353. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 6353 comprising a retained intron 2, a retained intron 3, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NOs: 30651 or 30651. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 29809-30623.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000487. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 222 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 202 or about 7 to about 202 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000487. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 56 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000487. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 199 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 152 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_000487. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 49 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 35 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085425. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 222 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 202 or about 7 to about 202 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085425. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 56 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085425. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 199 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 152 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085425. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 5 to about 49 or about 6 to about 49 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 35 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085426. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 222 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 202 or about 7 to about 202 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085426. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 56 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085426. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 199 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 152 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085426. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 5 to about 49 or about 6 to about 49 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 35 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085427. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 222 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 202 or about 7 to about 202 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085427. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 6 to about 56 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or exon 5 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085427. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 4 to about 199 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 152 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085427. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 5 to about 49 or about 6 to about 49 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 35 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 4.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or exon 3 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085428. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 sequence about 4 to about 222 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 2 to about 202 or about 7 to about 202 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 2 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 2, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085428. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 6 to about 56 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 2 sequence about 16 to about 71 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or exon 4 of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085428. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 sequence about 4 to about 199 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence about 2 to about 152 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 in a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3, wherein the intron numbering correspond to the mRNA sequence at NM_001085428. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 5 to about 49 or about 6 to about 49 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 sequence about 16 to about 35 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a ARSA RIC pre-mRNA comprising the retained intron 3.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 12. The MFSD8 intron numbering used herein corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 42. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 12 and subsequently increases MFSD8 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different MFSD8 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any MFSD8 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. The IDUA intron numbering used herein corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 25, 63 or 16. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 and subsequently increases IDUA protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different IDUA isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any IDUA isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA is in intron 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained introns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38, and subsequently increases ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein production.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B pre-mRNA is in intron 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained introns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38, and subsequently increases ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein production.

In some cases, the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B pre-mRNA is in intron 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained introns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 or 38, and subsequently increases ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein production.

The degree of intron retention can be expressed as percent intron retention (PIR), the percentage of transcripts in which a given intron is retained. In brief, PIR can be calculated as the percentage of the average number of reads mapping to the exon-intron junctions, over the sum of the average of the exon-intron junction reads plus the exon-exon junction reads.

PIR values for SCN1A have been reported, e.g., by Braunschweig, et al., 2014, (see, e.g., Supplemental Table S9), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5-EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein, or any combinations thereof. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combination thereof that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combination thereof. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combination thereof by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, wherein the subject has a deficient amount of activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and a second allele from which the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and an increase in the expression of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in the cells of the subject.

In some instances, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency in the amount or function of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency in the amount or function of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is produced at a reduced         level compared to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is produced in a form         having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type         protein, or     -   iii) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein or functional RNA is not         produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is produced at a reduced         level compared to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is produced in a form         having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type         protein, or     -   iii) the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1,         PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1,         PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is not produced, and

wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein and an increase in the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combination thereof is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In some cases, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein.

In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In some instances, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAIL PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In some cases, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B whole gene deletion, in one allele.

In some instances, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAIL PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B whole gene deletion, in one allele.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) can be used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combinations thereof. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAIL PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, STX1B protein or any combination thereof is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, can be contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA can result in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information (operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894). As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to NCBI Gene ID: (ATP1A2:477; CACNA1A:773; SETD5:55209; SHANK3:85358; NF2:4771; DNMT1:1786; TCF4:6925; RAI1:10743; PEX1:5189; ARSA:410; EIF2B5:8893; EIF2B1:1967; EIF2B2:8892; NPC1:4864; ADAR:103; MFSD8:256471; STXBP1:6812; PRICKLE2:166336; PRRT2:112476; STX1B:112755; IDUA: IDUA). Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, resulting in increased expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B respectively, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA.

In some cases, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B respectively, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in cells, for example, in a subject having a deficiency in the amount or activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAIL PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein can induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein and increasing the expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing can correctly remove a retained intron from a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein correctly removes a retained intron from a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein, wherein the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing can correctly remove a retained intron from a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein or the amount of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a wild-type ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a full-length ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases, that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +4000, +6 to +3500, +6 to +3000, +6 to +2500, +6 to +2000, +6 to +1500, +6 to +1000, +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to +300, +6 to +200, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −4000, −16 to −3000, −16 to −2000, −16 to −1000, −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −6 to −200, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 29 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 28 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 19 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 17 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 16 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 14 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 13 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 12 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 11 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 10 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, intrathecal injection, intracerebroventricular injection, intraperitoneal injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the CNS. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

The compositions of the present invention may be provided to muscle cells by any suitable means, including direct administration (e.g., locally by injection or topical administration at a treatment site) or systemically (e.g., parenterally or orally), intranasally, orally, or by intrathecal, intracerebroventricular, inhalational, enteral, topical, intrauterine, vaginal, sublingual, rectal, intramuscular, intrapleural, intraventricular, intraperitoneal, ophthalmic, intravenous, or subcutaneous means.

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, or STX1B RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk can be perform by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Eye Diseases

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts encoding the: ROM1 protein, deficient in Retinitis pigmentosa-7; TEAD1 protein, deficient in Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy; RDH5 protein, deficient in Fundus Albipunctatus; NR2E3 protein, deficient in Retinitis pigmentosa 37; PAX6 protein, deficient in Aniridia, Coloboma of the optic nerve, Ocular coloboma, Foveal hypoplasia-1, Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia; CRX protein, deficient in Cone-rod dystrophy-2, Leber congenital amaurosis-7; FSCN2 protein, deficient in Retinitis Pigmentosa 30; ABCA4 protein, deficient in Stargardt disease-1, Retinitis pigmentosa-19, Age-related macular degeneration-2, Cone-rod dystrophy-3; MYOC protein, deficient in Primary open angle glaucoma; TCF4 protein, deficient in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3; MFSD8 protein, deficient Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement; CTNS protein, deficient in Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis; NXNL1 protein, in Leber congenital amaurosis and Bardet-biedl syndrome; OPTN protein deficient in primary open angle glaucoma and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12; RLBP1 protein deficient in bothnia retinal dystrophy, fundus albipunctatus and retinitis punctata albescens; RPE65 protein deficient in leber congenital amaurosis 2 and retinitis pigmentosa 20; LRAT protein deficient in leber congenital amaurosis 14 and retinitis pigmentosa; RDH8 protein in eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all trans retinal; RDH12 protein deficient in leber congenital amaurosis 13 and retinitis pigmentosa; RGR protein deficient in retinitis pigmentosa 44; CNGA3 protein deficient in achromatopsia 2; PER1 protein in jet lag, ALMS1 protein deficient in Alstrom syndrome and IDUA protein deficient in attenuated MPS 1 (hurler-scheie syndrome and scheie syndrome) have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 and IDUA pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1 or IDUA deficiency. In embodiments, the condition is not caused by a deficiency of the target protein but is nonetheless treated by increasing production of the target protein using the present methods. In certain embodiments, wherein the condition that is not caused by a deficiency of the target protein but is nonetheless treated by increasing production of the target protein using the present methods, the target protein is RDH8, NXNL1, or PER1. In related embodiments, the condition treated is an in eye diseases with slow clearance or accumulation of all trans retinal and the target protein is RDH8, or the condition is jet lag, and the target protein is PER1.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA haploinsufficiency.

ROM1

ROM1 (retinal outer segment membrane protein 1) encodes Rod outer segment membrane protein 1. This gene is a member of a photoreceptor-specific gene family and encodes an integral membrane protein found in the photoreceptor disk rim of the eye. This protein can form homodimers or can heterodimerize with another photoreceptor, retinal degeneration slow (RDS). ROM1 is essential for disk morphogenesis, and may also function as an adhesion molecule involved in the stabilization and compaction of outer segment disks or in the maintenance of the curvature of the rim. Certain defects in this gene have been associated with the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis Pigmentosa-7 (RP7)

Retinitis pigmentosa 7 (RP7) is retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, affected individuals lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well. The disease may be caused by mutations affecting distinct genetic loci, including ROM1. A digenic form of retinitis pigmentosa 7 results from a mutation in the PRPH2 gene and a null mutation of the ROM1 gene has been reported.

TEAD1

TEAD1 encodes Transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-1. Transcriptional enhancer factor TEF-1 is a transcription factor which plays a key role in the Hippo signaling pathway, a pathway involved in organ size control and tumor suppression by restricting proliferation and promoting apoptosis. The core of this pathway is composed of a kinase cascade wherein MST1/MST2, in complex with its regulatory protein SAV1, phosphorylates and activates LATS1/2 in complex with its regulatory protein MOB1, which in turn phosphorylates and inactivates YAP1 oncoprotein and WWTR1/TAZ. TEAD1 acts by mediating gene expression of YAP1 and WWTR1/TAZ, thereby regulating cell proliferation, migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction. TEAD1 binds specifically and cooperatively to the SPH and GT-IIC ‘enhansons’ (5′-GTGGAATGT-3′) and activates transcription in vivo in a cell-specific manner. The activation function appears to be mediated by a limiting cell-specific transcriptional intermediary factor (TIF). TEAD1 is also involved in cardiac development, and binds to the M-CAT motif.

Sveinsson Chorioretinal Atrophy

Sveinsson chorioretinal atrophy is caused by a mutation in the TEA domain family member-1 gene TEAD1. Sveinsson's chorioretinal atrophy (SCRA), also referred to as helicoid peripapillary chorioretinal degeneration or atrophia areata, is an autosomal dominant eye disease, characterized by symmetrical lesions radiating from the optic disc involving the retina and the choroid.

RDH5

RDH5 encodes 11-cis retinol dehydrogenase. This enzyme belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family. This retinol dehydrogenase functions to catalyze the final step in the biosynthesis of 11-cis retinaldehyde, which is the universal chromophore of visual pigments. Mutations in this gene cause autosomal recessive fundus albipunctatus, a rare form of night blindness that is characterized by a delay in the regeneration of cone and rod photopigments. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. Read-through transcription also exists between this gene and the neighboring upstream BLOC1S1 (biogenesis of lysosomal organelles complex-1, subunit 1) gene.

Fundus Albipunctatus

Fundus Albipuctatus is a rare form of night blindness that is characterized by a delay in the regeneration of cone and rod photopigments. This form of fleck retina disease is characterized by discrete uniform white dots over the entire fundus with greatest density in the midperiphery and no macular involvement. Night blindness occurs. Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance has been suggested.

NR2E3

NR2E3 encodes photoreceptor cell-specific nuclear receptor (PNR), also known as NR2E3 (nuclear receptor subfamily 2, group E, member 3). NR2E3 is a nuclear receptor of retinal photoreceptor cells. NR2E3 is a transcriptional factor that is an activator of rod development and repressor of cone development. NR2E3 binds the promoter region of a number of rod- and cone-specific genes, including rhodopsin, M- and S-opsin and rod-specific phosphodiesterase beta subunit. NR2E3 enhances rhodopsin expression and represses M- and S-cone opsin expression.

Retinitis Pigmentosa 37

Retinitis pigmentosa 37 is caused by homozygous or heterozygous mutation in the NR2E3 gene. Retinitis pigmentosa 37 (RP37) is a retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited, degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment due to the progressive degeneration of the rod photoreceptor cells in the retina. This form of retinal dystrophy manifests initial symptoms independent of age; thus, Retinitis pigmentosa diagnosis occurs anywhere from early infancy to late adulthood. Patients in the early stages of Retinitis pigmentosa first notice compromised peripheral and dim light vision due to the decline of the rod photoreceptors. The progressive rod degeneration is later followed by abnormalities in the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the deterioration of cone photoreceptor cells. As peripheral vision becomes increasingly compromised, patients experience progressive “tunnel vision” and eventual blindness. Affected individuals may additionally experience defective light-dark adaptations, nyctalopia (night blindness), and the accumulation of bone spicules in the fundus.

PAX6

PAX6 encodes Paired box protein Pax-6 also known as aniridia type II protein (AN2) or oculorhombin. PAX6, a member of the paired box gene family, and encodes a transcriptional regulator involved in oculogenesis and other developmental processes. Pax6 is a transcription factor present during embryonic development. The encoded protein contains two different binding sites that are known to bind DNA and function as regulators of gene transcription. PAX6 is a key regulatory gene of eye and brain development. Within the brain, the protein is involved in development of the specialized cells that process smell. As a transcription factor, Pax6 activates and/or deactivates gene expression patterns to ensure for proper development of the tissue.

Aniridia

Aniridia is caused by heterozygous mutation in the PAX6 gene on chromosome 11p13. More than 280 mutations in the PAX6 gene have been found to cause aniridia, which is an absence of the iris. Most of these mutations lead to the production of an abnormally short, nonfunctional PAX6 protein. As a result, there is less PAX6 protein to regulate the activity of other genes.

The majority of mutations that cause aniridia occur within the PAX6 gene, however, some disease-causing mutations occur in neighboring regions of DNA that normally regulate the expression of the PAX6 gene, known as regulatory regions. Mutations in PAX6 gene regulatory regions reduce the expression of the PAX6 gene. These mutations lead to a shortage of functional PAX6 protein, which disrupts the formation of the eyes during development.

Aniridia is an eye disorder characterized by a complete or partial absence of the colored part of the iris. These iris abnormalities may cause the pupils to be abnormal or misshapen. Aniridia can cause reduction in visual acuity and increased sensitivity to light (photophobia). Individuals with aniridia can also have other eye problems. Increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) typically appears in late childhood or early adolescence. Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataracts), occur in 50 percent to 85 percent of people with aniridia. In about 10 percent of affected people, the optic nerves are underdeveloped. Individuals with aniridia may also have involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) or underdevelopment of the region at the back of the eye responsible for sharp central vision (foveal hypoplasia). Many of these eye problems contribute to progressive vision loss in affected individuals. The severity of symptoms is typically the same in both eyes. Rarely, people with aniridia have behavioral problems, developmental delay, and problems detecting odors. Aniridia can be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. In approximately two-thirds of cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. The remaining one-third of cases result from new mutations in the gene and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.

Coloboma of the Optic Nerve

Coloboma of the optic nerve is caused by mutation in the PAX6 gene. Coloboma of the optic nerve is a congenital anomaly of the optic disc in which there is a defect of the inferior aspect of the optic nerve. Vision in the affected eye is impaired, the degree of which depends on the size of the defect, and typically affects the visual field more than visual acuity. Additionally, there is an increased risk of serous retinal detachment, manifesting in ⅓ of patients. If retinal detachment does occur, it is usually not correctable and all sight is lost in the affected area of the eye, which may or may not involve the macula.

Ocular Coloboma

Ocular coloboma is caused by heterozygous mutation in the PAX6 gene on chromosome 11p13. Coloboma is an ocular birth defect resulting from abnormal development of the eye during embryogenesis. It is defined as a congenital defect in any ocular tissue, typically presenting as absent tissue or a gap, at a site consistent with aberrant closure of the optic fissure. Failure of fusion can lead to coloboma of one or multiple regions of the inferior portion of the eye affecting any part of the globe traversed by the fissure, from the iris to the optic nerve, including the ciliary body, retina, and choroid. Coloboma is also frequently associated with small (microphthalmic) or absent (anophthalmic) eyes as part of an interrelated spectrum of developmental eye anomalies, and can affect either one or both eyes.

Foveal Hypoplasia-1

Foveal hypoplasia-1 with or without anterior segment anomalies and/or cataract (FVH1) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the PAX6 gene on chromosome 11p13. Foveal hypoplasia is defined as the lack of foveal depression with continuity of all neurosensory retinal layers in the presumed foveal area. Foveal hypoplasia as an isolated entity is a rare phenomenon; it is usually described in association with other ocular disorders, such as aniridia, microphthalmia, albinism, or achromatopsia. All reported cases of foveal hypoplasia have been accompanied by decreased visual acuity and nystagmus.

Bilateral Optic Nerve Hypoplasia

Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia can be caused by mutations in the PAX6 gene. Optic nerve hypoplasia is a medical condition arising from the underdevelopment of the optic nerve(s). This condition is the most common congenital optic nerve anomaly. The optic disc appears abnormally small, because not all the optic nerve axons have developed properly. It is often associated with endocrinopathies (hormone deficiencies), developmental delay, and brain malformations. The optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual signals from the retina to the brain, has approximately 1.2 million nerve fibers in the average person. In those diagnosed with Optic nerve hypoplasia, however, there are noticeably fewer nerves. Optic nerve hypoplasia can be unilateral (in one eye) or bilateral (in both eyes), although it presents most often bilaterally (80%). Because the unilateral cases tend to have better vision, they are typically diagnosed at a later age than those with bilateral Optic nerve hypoplasia. Visual acuity can range from no light perception to near-normal vision.

CRX

CRX encodes Cone-rod homeobox protein. Cone-rod homeobox protein is a photoreceptor-specific transcription factor which plays a role in the differentiation of photoreceptor cells. This homeodomain protein is necessary for the maintenance of normal cone and rod function. Cone-rod homeobox protein is a transcription factor that binds and transactivates the sequence 5′-TAATC[CA]-3′ which is found upstream of several photoreceptor-specific genes, including the opsin genes. CRX acts synergistically with other transcription factors, such as NRL, RORB and RAX, to regulate photoreceptor cell-specific gene transcription and is essential for the maintenance of mammalian photoreceptors.

Cone-Rod Dystrophy-2 (CORD2)

Cone-rod dystrophy-2 (CORD2) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the CRX gene on chromosome 19q13. Cone-rod dystrophy 2 (CORD2) is an inherited retinal dystrophy characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination, predominantly in the macular region, and initial loss of cone photoreceptors followed by rod degeneration. This leads to decreased visual acuity and sensitivity in the central visual field, followed by loss of peripheral vision. Severe loss of vision occurs earlier than in retinitis pigmentosa.

Leber Congenital Amaurosis-7

Leber congenital amaurosis-7 can be caused by heterozygous or homozygous mutation in the CRX gene on chromosome 19q13. Leber congenital amaurosis comprises a group of early-onset childhood retinal dystrophies characterized by vision loss, nystagmus, and severe retinal dysfunction. Patients usually present at birth with profound vision loss and pendular nystagmus. Electroretinogram (ERG) responses are usually nonrecordable. Other clinical findings may include high hypermetropia, photodysphoria, oculodigital sign, keratoconus, cataracts, and a variable appearance to the fundus

FSCN2

FSCN2 encodes Fascin-2. This gene encodes a member of the fascin protein family. Fascins crosslink actin into filamentous bundles within dynamic cell extensions. This family member is proposed to play a role in photoreceptor disk morphogenesis. A mutation in this gene results in one form of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have also been found.

Retinitis Pigmentosa 30

Petinitis pigmentosa 30 is caused by mutation in the retinal fascin gene (FSCN2) on chromosome 17q25. Retinitis pigmentosa 30 (RP30) is a retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well.

ABCA4

ABCA4 encodes ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 4, also known as ABCA4 or ABCR. ABCA4 is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporter gene sub-family A (ABC1) found exclusively in multicellular eukaryotes. The ABCA4 protein is produced in photoreceptors. The ABCA4 protein is active following phototransduction, the process by which light entering the eye is converted into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. Phototransduction leads to the formation of potentially toxic substances. The ABCA4 protein removes one of these substances, called N-retinylidene-PE, from photoreceptor cells.

Stargardt Disease-1 (STGD1)

Stargardt disease-1 (STGD1) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the ABCA4 gene (601691) on chromosome 1p22. Stargardt macular degeneration is a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder affects the retina. Specifically, Stargardt macular degeneration affects a small area near the center of the retina called the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. In most people with Stargardt macular degeneration, a fatty yellow pigment (lipofuscin) builds up in cells underlying the macula. Over time, the abnormal accumulation of this substance can damage cells that are critical for clear central vision. In addition to central vision loss, people with Stargardt macular degeneration have problems with night vision that can make it difficult to navigate in low light. Some affected individuals also have impaired color vision. The signs and symptoms of Stargardt macular degeneration typically appear in late childhood to early adulthood and worsen over time.

More than 500 mutations in the ABCA4 gene have been found to cause Stargardt macular degeneration. Most of these mutations change single amino acids in the ABCA4 protein. A malfunctioning ABCA4 protein cannot remove N-retinylidene-PE from photoreceptor cells. As a result, N-retinylidene-PE combines with another substance to produce a fatty yellow pigment called lipofuscin, which builds up in retinal cells. The buildup of lipofuscin is toxic to the cells of the retina and causes progressive vision loss in people with Stargardt macular degeneration. In most cases, Stargardt macular degeneration is caused by mutations in the ABCA4 gene.

Retinitis Pigmentosa-19 (RP19)

Retinitis Pigmentosa-19 (RP19) can be caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the ABCR gene (ABCA4) on chromosome 1p22. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited eye disorder characterized by progressive loss of peripheral vision and night vision difficulties that can cause central vision loss. There are a large number of genes linked to retinitis pigmentosa. Type 19 is linked to a genetic defect on chromosome 1p21-p13. Retinitis Pigmentosa-19 is characterized by night-blindness, peripheral loss of vision, progressive retinal degeneration, tunnel vision, progressive vision loss, decreased vision at night or in low light, loss of central vision in advanced phases, and retinal pigment epithelium mottling.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration-2 (ARMD2)

Age-related macular degeneration-2 (ARMD2) is conferred by variation in the ABCA4 gene on chromosome 1p22. Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease that is a leading cause of vision loss in older people in developed countries. The vision loss usually becomes noticeable in a person's sixties or seventies and tends to worsen over time. Age-related macular degeneration mainly affects central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. The vision loss in this condition results from a gradual deterioration of light-sensing cells in the tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color (the retina). Specifically, age-related macular degeneration affects a small area near the center of the retina, called the macula, which is responsible for central vision. Side (peripheral) vision and night vision are generally not affected. Researchers have described two major types of age-related macular degeneration, known as the dry form and the wet form. The dry form is much more common, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of all cases of age-related macular degeneration. It is characterized by a buildup of yellowish deposits called drusen beneath the retina and slowly progressive vision loss. The condition typically affects vision in both eyes, although vision loss often occurs in one eye before the other. The wet form of age-related macular degeneration is associated with severe vision loss that can worsen rapidly. This form of the condition is characterized by the growth of abnormal, fragile blood vessels underneath the macula. These vessels leak blood and fluid, which damages the macula and makes central vision appear blurry and distorted.

Cone-Rod Dystrophy-3 (CORD3)

Cone-rod dystrophy-3 (CORD3) is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the ABCA4 on chromosome 1p22. Cone rod dystrophies are inherited retinal dystrophies that belong to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. The prevalence of Cone rod dystrophie is estimated at 1 in 40,000. Cone rod dystrophies are characterized by retinal pigment deposits, visible on fundus examination, predominantly localized to the macular region. In contrast to typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP), also called the rod cone dystrophies (RCDs), resulting from the primary loss in rod photoreceptors and later followed by the secondary loss in cone photoreceptors, Cone rod dystrophies reflect the opposite sequence of events. Cone rod dystrophy is characterized by primary cone involvement or, sometimes, by concomitant loss of both cones and rods, explaining the predominant symptoms of Cone rod dystrophies: decreased visual acuity, color vision defects, photoaversion and decreased sensitivity in the central visual field, later followed by progressive loss in peripheral vision and night blindness. The clinical course of Cone rod dystrophies is generally more severe and rapid than that of RCDs, leading to earlier legal blindness and disability. At end stage, however, Cone rod dystrophies do not differ from RCDs. Cone rod dystrophies are most frequently nonsyndromic, but they may also be part of several syndromes, such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCAT). Nonsyndromic Cone rod dystrophies are genetically heterogeneous (ten cloned genes and three loci have been identified so far). The four major causative genes involved in the pathogenesis of Cone rod dystrophies are ABCA4 (which causes Stargardt disease and also 30 to 60% of autosomal recessive Cone rod dystrophies), CRX and GUCY2D (which are responsible for many reported cases of autosomal dominant Cone rod dystrophies), and RPGR (which causes about ⅔ of X-linked RP and also an undetermined percentage of X-linked Cone rod dystrophies). It is likely that highly deleterious mutations in genes that otherwise cause RP or macular dystrophy may also lead to Cone rod dystrophies. The diagnosis of Cone rod dystrophies is based on clinical history, fundus examination and electroretinogram. Moleculardiagnosis can be made for some genes, genetic counseling is always advised. Currently, there is no therapy that stops the evolution of the disease or restores the vision, and the visual prognosis is poor. Management aims at slowing down the degenerative process, treating the complications and helping patients to cope with the social and psychological impact of blindness.

MYOC

The MYOC gene encodes myocilin. Myocilin is found in the trabecular meshwork and the ciliary body that regulate intraocular pressure. It is also found in various types of muscle. Myocilin's function is not well understood, but it may help to control the intraocular pressure through its action in the muscle tissue of the ciliary body. Researchers believe that myocilin functions together with other proteins as part of a protein complex. Myocilin may interact with a number of other proteins including a form of the cytochrome P450 protein, the product of the CYP1B1 gene.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), designated GLC1A, is caused by heterozygous mutation in the MYOC gene on chromosome 1q. There are no symptoms associated with POAG. The pressure in the eye slowly rises and the cornea adapts without swelling. If the cornea were to swell, which is usually a signal that something is wrong, symptoms would be present. But as this is not the case, this disease often goes undetected. It is painless, and the patient often does not realize that he or she is slowly losing vision until the later stages of the disease. However, by the time the vision is impaired, the damage is irreversible. Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders in which the optic nerves connecting the eyes and the brain are progressively damaged. This damage can lead to reduction in side (peripheral) vision and eventual blindness. Other signs and symptoms may include bulging eyes, excessive tearing, and abnormal sensitivity to light (photophobia). The term “early-onset glaucoma” may be used when the disorder appears before the age of 40. In most people with glaucoma, the damage to the optic nerves is caused by increased pressure within the eyes (intraocular pressure). Intraocular pressure depends on a balance between fluid entering and leaving the eyes. Usually glaucoma develops in older adults, in whom the risk of developing the disorder may be affected by a variety of medical conditions including high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes mellitus, as well as family history. The risk of early-onset glaucoma depends mainly on heredity. Structural abnormalities that impede fluid drainage in the eye may be present at birth and usually become apparent during the first year of life. Such abnormalities may be part of a genetic disorder that affects many body systems, called a syndrome. If glaucoma appears before the age of 5 without other associated abnormalities, it is called primary congenital glaucoma. Other individuals experience early onset of primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common adult form of glaucoma. If primary open-angle glaucoma develops during childhood or early adulthood, it is called juvenile open-angle glaucoma.

TCF4

TCF4 encodes TCF4, or sometimes referred to as immunoglobulin transcription factor 2. TCF4 is a broadly expressed basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein that functions as a homodimer or as a heterodimer with other bHLH proteins. These dimers bind DNA at Ephrussi (E) box sequences. Alternative splicing produces numerous N-terminally distinct TCF4 isoforms that differ in their subcellular localization and transactivational capacity. TCF4 proteins act as transcription factors which will bind to the immunoglobulin enhancer mu-E5/kappa-E2 motif. TCF4 activates transcription by binding to the E-box (5′-CANNTG-3′) found usually on SSTR2-INR, or somatostatin receptor 2 initiator element. TCF4 is primarily involved in neurological development of the fetus during pregnancy by initiating neural differentiation by binding to DNA. It is found in the central nervous system, somites, and gonadal ridge during early development. Later in development it will be found in the thyroid, thymus, and kidneys while in adulthood TCF4 it will be found in lymphocytes, muscles, and gastrointestinal system.

Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy-3 (FECD3)

Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy-3 (FECD3) is caused by heterozygous intronic trinucleotide repeat expansion (CTG)n in the TCF4 gene on chromosome 18q22. Late-onset Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a degenerative disorder affecting roughly 4% of the population older than 40 years. It is distinguished from other corneal disorders by the progressive formation of guttae, which are microscopic refractile excrescences of the Descemet membrane, a collagen-rich basal lamina secreted by the corneal endothelium. From onset, it usually takes 2 decades for FECD to impair endothelial cell function seriously, leading to stromal edema and impaired vision. The first symptom of this condition is typically blurred vision in the morning that usually clears during the day. Over time, affected individuals lose visual acuity. People with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy also become sensitive to bright lights. Fuchs endothelial dystrophy specifically affects the front surface of the eye called the cornea. Deposits called guttae, which are detectable during an eye exam, form in the middle of the cornea and eventually spread. These guttae contribute to the loss of cells in the cornea, leading to vision problems. Tiny blisters may develop on the cornea, which can burst and cause eye pain. The signs and symptoms of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy usually begin in a person's forties or fifties. A very rare early-onset variant of this condition starts to affect vision in a person's twenties.

MFSD8

MFSD8 encodes Major facilitator superfamily domain containing 8 also known as MFSD8. The MFSD8 protein is found in cell lysosomes. The MFSD8 protein belongs to a large group of related proteins called the major facilitator superfamily of secondary active transporter proteins. Proteins in this family move certain molecules between structures in cells or in and out of cells. While it is likely that the MFSD8 protein transports molecules, the specific molecules it moves are unknown. The MFSD8 protein probably transports substances across the membranes of lysosomes.

Macular Dystrophy with Central Cone Involvement (CCMD)

Macular dystrophy with central cone involvement (CCMD) is caused by compound heterozygous mutation in the MFSD8 gene on chromosome 4q28. This is primarily a cone dystrophy but there is evidence of some rod damage in older patients. A mild decrease in central acuity is noted by individuals in the third to sixth decades. Slight pigmentary changes and color vision abnormalities can be documented with the onset of these symptoms and a bull's eye maculopathy and severe atrophy of the central fovea may be present. An enlarging central scotoma with normal periphery can sometimes be identified. Other patients have an atrophic appearance to the peripapillary area with a pale optic disc. Compound heterozygosity for a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation in the MFSD8 gene (4q28.2) has been found among members of a Dutch sibship suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance.

CTNS

The CTNS gene encodes called cystinosin. This protein is located in the membrane of lysosomes, which are compartments in the cell that digest and recycle materials. Proteins digested inside lysosomes are broken down into smaller amino acids. The amino acids are then moved out of lysosomes by transport proteins. Cystinosin is a transport protein that specifically moves the amino acid cystine out of the lysosome.

Ocular Nonnephropathic Cystinosis

Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis is caused by mutation in the gene encoding cystinosin (CTNS) which maps to chromosome 17p13. Ocular nonnephropathic cystinosis, a variant of the classic nephropathic type of cystinosis, is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by photophobia due to corneal cystine crystals but absence of renal disease. More than 80 different mutations that are responsible for causing cystinosis have been identified in the CTNS gene. The most common mutation is a deletion of a large part of the CTNS gene (sometimes referred to as the 57-kb deletion), resulting in the complete loss of cystinosin. This deletion is responsible for approximately 50 percent of cystinosis cases in people of European descent. Other mutations result in the production of an abnormally short protein that cannot carry out its normal transport function. Mutations that change very small regions of the CTNS gene may allow the transporter protein to retain some of its usual activity, resulting in a milder form of cystinosis.

NXNL1

NXNL1 encodes Nucleoredoxin-Like 1 (NXNL1). NXNL1 may play a role in cone cell viability, slowing down cone degeneration. NXNL1 does not seem to play a role in degenerating rods. Diseases associated with NXNL1 include leber congenital amaurosis and bardet-biedl syndrome. Leber congenital amaurosis is an eye disorder that primarily affects the retina. Individuals with this condition typically have severe visual impairment beginning in infancy. Other features include photophobia, involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus), and extreme farsightedness. The pupils also do not react normally to light. Additionally, the cornea may be cone-shaped and abnormally thin (keratoconus). Franceschetti's oculo-digital sign is characteristic of leber congenital amaurosis. This sign consists of poking, pressing, and rubbing the eyes with a knuckle or finger. At least 13 types of this condition have been described, which are distinguished by their genetic cause, patterns of vision loss, and related eye abnormalities.

Bardet-biedl syndrome is an inherited condition that affects many parts of the body. Individuals with this condition have progressive visual impairment due to cone-rod dystrophy, extra fingers or toes (polydactyly), truncal obesity, decreased function of the male gonads (hypogonadism), kidney abnormalities, and learning difficulties. At least 14 genes are known to be associated with bardet-biedl syndrome. This condition is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.

OPTN\

The OPTN gene encodes the coiled-coil containing protein optineurin. Optineurin may play a role in normal-tension glaucoma and adult-onset primary open angle glaucoma. Optineurin interacts with adenovirus E3-14.7K protein and may utilize tumor necrosis factor-alpha or Fas-ligand pathways to mediate apoptosis, inflammation or vasoconstriction. Optineurin may also function in cellular morphogenesis and membrane trafficking, vesicle trafficking, and transcription activation through its interactions with the RAB8, huntingtin, and transcription factor IIIA proteins. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding the same protein.

Optineurin plays an important role in the maintenance of the Golgi complex, in membrane trafficking, in exocytosis, through its interaction with myosin VI and Rab8. Optineurin links myosin VI to the Golgi complex and plays an important role in Golgi ribbon formation. Optineurin negatively regulates the induction of IFNB in response to RNA virus infection. Optineurin plays a neuroprotective role in the eye and optic nerve. Optineurin is indicated as part of the TNF-alpha signaling pathway that can shift the equilibrium toward induction of cell death. Optineurin may act by regulating membrane trafficking and cellular morphogenesis via a complex that contains Rab8 and hungtingtin (HD). Optineurin mediates the interaction of Rab8 with the probable GTPase-activating protein TBC1D17 during Rab8-mediated endocytic trafficking, such as of transferrin receptor (TFRC/TfR); regulates Rab8 recruitment to tubules emanating from the endocytic recycling compartment. Autophagy receptor that interacts directly with both the cargo to become degraded and an autophagy modifier of the MAP1 LC3 family; targets ubiquitin-coated bacteria (xenophagy), such as cytoplasmic Salmonella enterica, and appears to function in the same pathway as SQSTM1 and CALCOCO2/NDP52. Optineurin may constitute a cellular target for adenovirus E3 14.7, an inhibitor of TNF-alpha functions, thereby affecting cell death.

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma;

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is characterized by a specific pattern of optic nerve and visual field defects. The angle of the anterior chamber of the eye is open, and usually the intraocular pressure is increased. However, glaucoma can occur at any intraocular pressure. The disease is generally asymptomatic until the late stages, by which time significant and irreversible optic nerve damage has already taken place. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the OPTN gene

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 12

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12 (ALS12) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper motor neurons in the brain and lower motor neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord, resulting in fatal paralysis. Sensory abnormalities are absent. The pathologic hallmarks of the disease include pallor of the corticospinal tract due to loss of motor neurons, presence of ubiquitin-positive inclusions within surviving motor neurons, and deposition of pathologic aggregates. The etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is likely to be multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors. The disease is inherited in 5-10% of the cases.

In some cases, in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, heterozygous mutations in the OPTN (G538EfsX27) and TBK1 (R117X) genes can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, a deletion of exon 5 can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, a nonsense mutation (Q398X) can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 12, heterozygosity for a missense mutation (E478G) within the OPTN ubiquitin-binding domain can be identified.

RLBP1

The RLBP1 gene encodes is a 36-kD water-soluble protein which carries 11-cis-retinaldehyde or 11-cis-retinal as physiologic ligands. The RLBP1 protein may be a functional component of the visual cycle. Mutations of this gene have been associated with severe rod-cone dystrophy, Bothnia dystrophy (nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa) and retinitis punctata albescens.

Bothnia Retinal Dystrophy

Bothnia retinal dystrophy (BRD) is a type of retinitis punctata albescens. Affected individuals show night blindness from early childhood with features consistent with retinitis punctata albescens and macular degeneration. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the RLBP1 gene.

Fundus Albipunctatus

Fundus albipunctatus is a retinal disorder characterized by night blindness and delayed dark adaptation after exposure to bright light, which typically presents during early childhood. The fundi of affected individuals contain multiple small, white or pale yellow dots in the retinal pigment epithelium, which may or may not involve the macula. These dots can remain unchanged, become more prominent, or can fade during aging; new dots may also appear. The dark-adaptation curve of affected individuals features prolonged recovery of cone and rod sensitivity and electroretinogram cone and rod amplitudes are markedly reduced after 30-40 minutes of dark adaptation; however, they may come to normal or near-normal levels after many hours of adaptation showed that approximately 38% of individuals with fundus albipunctatus have extensive cone dysfunction. Mutations in the RLBP1 gene have also been reported in fundus albipunctatus patients.

Retinitis Punctata Albescens

Retinitis punctata albescens (RPA) is a form of fleck retina disease characterized by aggregation of white flecks posteriorly in the retina, causing night blindness and delayed dark adaptation. It differs from fundus albipunctatus in being progressive and evolving to generalized atrophy of the retina. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the RLBP1 gene.

RPE65

The RPE65 gene alos “retinal pigment epithelium-specific protein 65 kDa.” The RPE65 gene encodes the RPE65 protein that is essential for normal vision. The RPE65 protein is produced in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE supports and nourishes the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye. The RPE65 protein is involved in a multi-step process called the visual cycle, which converts light entering the eye into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain. When light hits photosensitive pigments in the retina, it changes 11-cis retinal (a form of vitamin A) to all-trans retinal. This conversion triggers a series of chemical reactions that create electrical signals. The RPE65 protein then helps convert all-trans retinal back to 11-cis retinal so the visual cycle can begin again

Leber Congenital Amaurosis 2

Leber congenital amaurosis is an eye disorder that primarily affects the retina, which is the specialized tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color. People with this disorder typically have severe visual impairment beginning in infancy. The visual impairment tends to be stable, although it may worsen very slowly over time.

Leber congenital amaurosis is also associated with other vision problems, including an increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), involuntary movements of the eyes (nystagmus), and extreme farsightedness (hyperopia). The pupils, which usually expand and contract in response to the amount of light entering the eye, do not react normally to light. Instead, they expand and contract more slowly than normal, or they may not respond to light at all. Additionally, the clear front covering of the eye (the cornea) may be cone-shaped and abnormally thin, a condition known as keratoconus.

A specific behavior called Franceschetti's oculo-digital sign is characteristic of Leber congenital amaurosis. This sign consists of poking, pressing, and rubbing the eyes with a knuckle or finger. Researchers suspect that this behavior may contribute to deep-set eyes and keratoconus in affected children.

In rare cases, delayed development and intellectual disability have been reported in people with the features of Leber congenital amaurosis. However, it is uncertain whether these individuals actually have Leber congenital amaurosis or another syndrome with similar signs and symptoms. At least 13 types of Leber congenital amaurosis have been described. The types are distinguished by their genetic cause, patterns of vision loss, and related eye abnormalities. Leber Congenital Amaurosis 2 is distinguished by moderate visual impairment at infancy that progresses to total blindness by mid to late adulthood. One of the unique qualities of Leber Congenital Amaurosis 2 is that, even with profound early visual impairment, retinal cells are relatively preserved.

In some cases, in patients with leber congenital amaurosis 2, compound heterozygosity for mutations in the RPE65 gene, a 1-bp deletion and/or a nonsense mutation can be identified.

Retinitis Pigmentosa 20

Retinitis pigmentosa 20 is retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well.

LRAT

LRAT gene, or lecithin retinol acyltransferase (phosphatidylcholine-retinol O-acyltransferase) encodes the LRAT protein that localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it catalyzes the esterification of all-trans-retinol into all-trans-retinyl ester. This reaction is an important step in vitamin A metabolism in the visual system. Mutations in this gene have been associated with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy and Leber congenital amaurosis 14. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. The LRAT protein transfers the acyl group from the sn-1 position of phosphatidylcholine to all-trans retinol, producing all-trans retinyl esters. Retinyl esters are storage forms of vitamin A. LRAT plays a critical role in vision. It provides the all-trans retinyl ester substrates for the isomerohydrolase which processes the esters into 11-cis-retinol in the retinal pigment epithelium; due to a membrane-associated alcohol dehydrogenase, 11 cis-retinol is oxidized and converted into 11-cis-retinaldehyde which is the chromophore for rhodopsin and the cone photopigments.

Leber Congenital Amaurosis 14;

Leber congenital amaurosis 14 (LCA14) is a severe dystrophy of the retina, typically becoming evident in the first years of life. Visual function is usually poor and often accompanied by nystagmus, sluggish or near-absent pupillary responses, photophobia, high hyperopia and keratoconus. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the LRAT gene.

Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of related eye disorders that cause progressive vision loss. These disorders affect the retina, which is the layer of light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In people with retinitis pigmentosa, vision loss occurs as the light-sensing cells of the retina gradually deteriorate. The first sign of retinitis pigmentosa is usually a loss of night vision, which becomes apparent in childhood. Problems with night vision can make it difficult to navigate in low light. Later, the disease causes blind spots to develop in the side (peripheral) vision. Over time, these blind spots merge to produce tunnel vision. The disease progresses over years or decades to affect central vision, which is needed for detailed tasks such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces. In adulthood, many people with retinitis pigmentosa become legally blind.

The signs and symptoms of retinitis pigmentosa are most often limited to vision loss. When the disorder occurs by itself, it is described as nonsyndromic. Researchers have identified several major types of nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa, which are usually distinguished by their pattern of inheritance: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked. Less commonly, retinitis pigmentosa occurs as part of syndromes that affect other organs and tissues in the body. These forms of the disease are described as syndromic. The most common form of syndromic retinitis pigmentosa is Usher syndrome, which is characterized by the combination of vision loss and hearing loss beginning early in life. Retinitis pigmentosa is also a feature of several other genetic syndromes, including Bardet-Biedl syndrome; Refsum disease; and neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP).

RDH8

Retinol dehydrogenase 8 (all-trans) is an enzyme encoded by the RDH8 gene. All-trans-retinol dehydrogenase (RDH8) is a visual cycle enzyme that reduces all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol in the presence of NADPH. It is a member of the short chain dehydrogenase/reductase family and is located in the outer segments of photoreceptors; hence it is also known as photoreceptor retinol dehydrogenase. It is important in the visual cycle by beginning the rhodopsin regeneration pathway by reducing all-trans-retinal, the product of bleached and hydrolyzed rhodopsin.

RDH12

The RDH12 gene, Retinol dehydrogenase 12 (all-trans/9-cis/11-cis), encodes the RDH12 protein which is an NADPH-dependent retinal reductase whose highest activity is toward 9-cis and all-trans-retinol. The encoded enzyme also plays a role in the metabolism of short-chain aldehydes but does not exhibit steroid dehydrogenase activity. Defects in this gene are a cause of Leber congenital amaurosis type 13 and Retinitis Pigmentosa 53.

Leber Congenital Amaurosis13

Leber congenital amaurosis 13 (LCA13) is a severe dystrophy of the retina, typically becoming evident in the first years of life. Visual function is usually poor and often accompanied by nystagmus, sluggish or near-absent pupillary responses, photophobia, high hyperopia and keratoconus. In some cases, leber congenital amaurosis-13 can be caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutation in the photoreceptor-specific retinal dehydrogenase gene RDH12 on chromosome 14q23.3.

Retinitis Pigmentosa 53

Retinitis pigmentosa 53 (RP53) is a retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well.

RGR

The RGR gene encodes a putative retinal G-protein coupled receptor. The gene is a member of the opsin subfamily of the 7 transmembrane, G-protein coupled receptor 1 family. Like other opsins which bind retinaldehyde, it contains a conserved lysine residue in the seventh transmembrane domain. The protein acts as a photoisomerase to catalyze the conversion of all-trans-retinal to 11-cis-retinal. The reverse isomerization occurs with rhodopsin in retinal photoreceptor cells. The protein is exclusively expressed in tissue adjacent to retinal photoreceptor cells, the retinal pigment epithelium and Mueller cells. This gene may be associated with autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (arRP and adRP, respectively). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms. Retinal G protein-coupled receptor (RGR) is a rhodopsin homolog found exclusively in cells adjacent to the retinal photoreceptor cells (i.e., the retinal pigment epithelium and Muller cells). It preferentially binds all-trans retinal rather than 11-cis retinal, which is normally found in rhodopsin. In mammals, photons of light convert all-trans retinal within RGR to 11-cis retinal, whereas the reverse isomerization reaction occurs in rhodopsin in photoreceptor cells.

Retinitis Pigmentosa 44

Retinitis pigmentosa 44 (RP44) is a retinal dystrophy belonging to the group of pigmentary retinopathies. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by retinal pigment deposits visible on fundus examination and primary loss of rod photoreceptor cells followed by secondary loss of cone photoreceptors. Patients typically have night vision blindness and loss of midperipheral visual field. As their condition progresses, they lose their far peripheral visual field and eventually central vision as well. The disease is caused by mutations affecting the RGR gene.

CNGA3

The CNGA3 or cyclic nucleotide gated channel alpha 3 gene encodes one part (the alpha subunit) of the cone photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel. These channels are found exclusively in cones, which are located in the retina. Cones provide vision in bright light (daylight vision), including color vision.

CNG channels are openings in the cell membrane that transport cations into cells. In cones, CNG channels remain open under dark conditions, allowing cations to flow in. When light enters the eye, it triggers the closure of these channels, stopping the inward flow of cations. This change in cation transport alters the cone's electrical charge, which ultimately causes phototransduction. More than 100 mutations in the CNGA3 gene have been found to cause the vision disorder achromatopsia. These mutations underlie about 25 percent of cases of complete achromatopsia, a form of the disorder characterized by a total lack of color vision and other vision problems that are present from early infancy. CNGA3 gene mutations have also been identified in a few individuals with incomplete achromatopsia, a milder form of the disorder associated with limited color vision.

The CNGA3 gene mutations that underlie complete achromatopsia affect the production or function of the alpha subunit. In some cases, no protein is produced. In others, the protein is altered and does not function normally. CNG channels assembled without the alpha subunit or with an abnormal subunit are nonfunctional; they prevent cones from carrying out phototransduction. In some cases, defective channels allow a huge influx of cations into cones, which ultimately causes these cells to undergo apoptosis. A loss of cone function underlies the lack of color vision and other vision problems in people with complete achromatopsia.

A few mutations in the CNGA3 gene reduce but do not eliminate the function of CNG channels in cones. These mutations cause incomplete achromatopsia because the partially functioning cones can transmit some visual information to the brain. Because these CNG channels are specific to cones, rods are generally unaffected by this disorder.

Mutations in the CNGA3 gene have also been identified in a small percentage of cases of progressive cone dystrophy. However, unlike achromatopsia, progressive cone dystrophy is associated with cones that work normally at birth but begin to malfunction in childhood or adolescence. Over time, people with progressive cone dystrophy develop increasing blurriness and loss of color vision. It is unclear why some CNGA3 gene mutations cause achromatopsia and others result in progressive cone dystrophy

Achromatopsia-2

Achromatopsia-2 is an autosomal recessive disorder and is total colorblindness, also referred to as rod monochromacy or complete achromatopsia, is a rare congenital autosomal recessive disorder characterized by photophobia, reduced visual acuity, nystagmus, and the complete inability to discriminate between colors. Electroretinographic recordings show that in achromatopsia the rod photoreceptor function is normal, whereas cone photoreceptor responses are absent.

PER1

The PER1 gene encodes the period circadian protein homolog 1 protein in humans. PER1 is a master regulator of circadian rhythm and functions in the nucleus to repress expression of the central circadian clock genes (e.g., CLOCK). The periodicity of PER1 abundance, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional repression is regulated by PER1 phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and proteasomal degradation

The PER1 protein is important to the maintenance of circadian rhythms in cells, and m ay also play a role in the development of cancer. This gene is a member of the period family of genes. It is expressed with a daily oscillating circadian rhythm, or an oscillation that cycles with a period of approximately 24 hours. PER1 is most notably expressed in the region of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which is the primary circadian pacemaker in the mammalian brain. PER1 is also expressed throughout mammalian peripheral tissues. Genes in this family encode components of the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, metabolism, and behavior. Circadian expression of PER1 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus will free-run in constant darkness, meaning that the 24-hour period of the cycle will persist without the aid of external light cues. Subsequently, a shift in the light/dark cycle evokes a proportional shift of gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The time of gene expression is sensitive to light, as light during a mammal's subjective night results in a sudden increase in per expression and thus a shift in phase in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Alternative splicing has been observed in this gene. In some cases, PER1 can be involved in the effects of Jet lag.

IDUA

The IDUA gene encodes an enzyme called alpha-L-iduronidase, which is essential for the breakdown of large sugar molecules, for example glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Through hydrolysis, alpha-L-iduronidase uses water molecules to break down unsulfated alpha-L-iduronic acid, which is present in heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Alpha-L-iduronidase can be located in lysosomes. More than 100 mutations in the IDUA gene have been found to cause mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I). Most mutations that cause MPS I reduce or completely eliminate the function of alpha-L-iduronidase. It usually cannot be determined whether a certain mutation will cause severe or attenuated MPS I; however, people who do not produce any alpha-L-iduronidase have the severe form of this disorder.

The lack of alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme activity leads to the accumulation of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate within the lysosomes. The buildup of GAGs increases the size of the lysosomes. The accumulated GAGs may also interfere with the functions of other proteins inside the lysosomes and disrupt the movement of molecules inside the cell.

Attenuated MPS-1

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a condition that affects many parts of the body. This disorder was once divided into three separate syndromes: Hurler syndrome (MPS I-H), Hurler-Scheie syndrome (MPS I-H/S), and Scheie syndrome (MPS I-S), listed from most to least severe. Because there is so much overlap between each of these three syndromes, MPS I is currently divided into the severe and attenuated types.

Children with MPS I often have no signs or symptoms of the condition at birth, although some have a soft out-pouching around the belly-button (umbilical hernia) or lower abdomen (inguinal hernia). People with severe MPS I generally begin to show other signs and symptoms of the disorder within the first year of life, while those with the attenuated form have milder features that develop later in childhood.

Individuals with MPS I may have a large head (macrocephaly), a buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), heart valve abnormalities, distinctive-looking facial features that are described as “coarse,” an enlarged liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly), and a large tongue (macroglossia). Vocal cords can also enlarge, resulting in a deep, hoarse voice. The airway may become narrow in some people with MPS I, causing frequent upper respiratory infections and short pauses in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea).

People with MPS I often develop clouding of the clear covering of the eye (cornea), which can cause significant vision loss. Affected individuals may also have hearing loss and recurrent ear infections.

Some individuals with MPS I have short stature and joint deformities (contractures) that affect mobility. Most people with the severe form of the disorder also have dysostosis multiplex, which refers to multiple skeletal abnormalities seen on x-ray. Carpal tunnel syndrome develops in many children with this disorder and is characterized by numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers. Narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) in the neck can compress and damage the spinal cord.

While both forms of MPS I can affect many different organs and tissues, people with severe MPS I experience a decline in intellectual function and a more rapid disease progression. Developmental delay is usually present by age 1, and severely affected individuals eventually lose basic functional skills (developmentally regress). Children with this form of the disorder usually have a shortened lifespan, sometimes living only into late childhood. Individuals with attenuated MPS I typically live into adulthood and may or may not have a shortened lifespan. Some people with the attenuated type have learning disabilities, while others have no intellectual impairments. Heart disease and airway obstruction are major causes of death in people with both types of MPS I.

Hurler-Scheie Syndrome

Hurler-Scheie syndrome is the intermediate form of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1) between the two extremes Hurler syndrome and Scheie syndrome, it is a rare lysosomal storage disease, characterized by skeletal deformities and a delay in motor development. The prevalence of MPS I has been estimated at 1/100,000, with Hurler-Scheie syndrome accounting for 23% of cases or a prevalence of approximately 1/435,000. Patients with Hurler-Scheie syndrome have normal or almost normal intelligence but exhibit various degrees of physical impairment. Patients present in the first years of life with musculoskeletal alterations to different degrees including short stature, multiple dysostosis, thoracic-lumbar kyphosis, progressive coarsening of the facial features to different degrees, cardiomyopathy and valvular abnormalities, neurosensorial hearing loss, enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and nasal secretion. Hydrocephaly can occur after the age of two. Corneal opacity is seen between two and four years of age and requires keratoplasty to restore sight. Other manifestations may include organomegaly, hernias and hirsutism.

Hurler-Scheie syndrome is caused by mutations in the IDUA gene (4p16.3) leading to partial deficiency in the alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme and lysosomal accumulation of dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate. Early diagnosis is difficult because the first clinical signs are not specific. Diagnosis can be based on detection of increased urinary secretion of heparan and dermatan sulfate through 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) test and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) electrophoresis, and demonstration of enzymatic deficiency in leukocytes or fibroblasts. Genetic testing is available. Differential diagnoses include the milder and more severe forms of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (Scheie syndrome and Hurler syndrome respectively), mucopolysaccharidosis typeVI and mucopolysaccharidosis type II. Antenatal diagnosis is possible by measurement of enzymatic activity in cultivated chorionic villus or amniocytes and by genetic testing if the disease-causing mutation is known. Transmission is autosomal recessive. Bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant has been successful and can preserve neurocognition, improve some aspects of the somatic disease and increase survival. However it is associated with many risks and most of the positive effects occur only if the procedure is performed in the first two years of life.

The enzyme substitute (laronidase) obtained EU marketing authorization as an orphan drug in 2003. Given through weekly infusions it leads to improvement of lung function and joint mobility. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) can be started at diagnosis and may be beneficial in patients awaiting hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Early treatment can slow the progression of the disease. In individual patients with MPS1 of intermediate severity, HSCT may be considered if there is a suitable donor. There are however no data on the efficacy of HSCT in patients with this form of the disease.

Life expectancy for Hurler-Scheie syndrome may be reduced, with death occurring before adolescence due to serious cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

In some cases, in a patient with hurler scheie syndrome, homozygosity for an arg619-to-gly (R619G) mutation due to a C-to-G transversion at nucleotide 1943 can be identified. In some cases, in a patient with hurler scheie syndrome, homozygosity for a thr364-to-met (T364M) mutation in the IDUA gene can be identified.

ALMS1

The ALMS1 gene encodes the ALMS1 protein. ALMS1 gene is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 2 at position 13. The ALMS1 protein may play a role in hearing, vision, regulation of body weight, and functions of the heart, kidney, lungs, and liver. It may also affect how the pancreas regulates insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels.

The ALMS1 protein is present in most of the body's tissues, usually at low levels. Within cells, this protein is located in centrosomes. Centrosomes play a role in cell division and the assembly of microtubules. The ALMS1 protein is also found at the base of cilia. Based on its location within cells, the ALMS1 protein may be involved in the organization of microtubules, the transport of various materials, and the normal function of cilia.

Alstrom Syndrome

Alström syndrome is a rare condition that affects many body systems. Many of the signs and symptoms of this condition begin in infancy or early childhood, although some appear later in life. Alström syndrome is characterized by a progressive loss of vision and hearing, a form of heart disease that enlarges and weakens the heart muscle (dilated cardiomyopathy), obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and short stature. This disorder can also cause serious or life-threatening medical problems involving the liver, kidneys, bladder, and lungs. Some individuals with Alström syndrome have a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which causes the skin in body folds and creases to become thick, dark, and velvety. The signs and symptoms of Alström syndrome vary in severity, and not all affected individuals have all of the characteristic features of the disorder.

More than 80 mutations in the ALMS1 gene have been identified in people with Alström syndrome. 32 mutations in exon 16, 19 mutations in exon 10, and 17 mutations in exon 8 were identified in Alstrom syndrome patients. The most common allele was a 1-bp deletion (10775delC) identified in 12% of mutated alleles. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a homozygosity for insertion of a novel 333-bp Alu Ya5 SINE retrotransposon into exon 16 of the ALMS1 gene can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome an insertion of 19 bp in exon 16 of the ALMS1 gene, causing a frameshift resulting in early termination at codon 3530 can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome an 8383C-T transition in the ALMS1 gene in homozygous state, causing a nonsense change, glu2795 to ter (G2795X) can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a 10775delC mutation in the ALMS1 gene can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a deletion of 2 bp in exon 8 (2141delCT) can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a compound heterozygosity for a 10775delC mutation and a trp3664-to-ter mutation in the ALMS1 gene can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a homozygous 8164C-T transition in the ALMS1 gene, resulting in an arg2722-to-ter (R2722X) substitution can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a homozygosity for insertion of a 333-bp Alu Ya5 element in exon 16 of the ALMS1 gene can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome 2 alleles carrying a 10945G-T transversion in exon 16 of the ALMS1 gene, resulting in a glu3649-to-ter (E3649X) substitution can be identified. In some cases, in patients with Alstrom syndrome a homozygosity for the E3649X mutation in the ALMS1 gene can be identified. Most of these mutations lead to the production of an abnormally small version of the ALMS1 protein that does not function properly. A lack of normally functioning ALMS1 protein in the brain can lead to overeating. A loss of this protein in the pancreas may cause insulin resistance. The combined effects of overeating and insulin resistance impair the body's ability to handle excess sugar, leading to diabetes and obesity (two common features of Alström syndrome).

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene and encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the eye disease or conditions caused by deficiency in ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

Nuclear Transcripts

ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), can be visualized in the UCSC genome browser, and can show ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA transcripts expressed in ARPE-19 and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. The retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for this purpose are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

In some embodiments, the ROM1 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_00327. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 32. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 and subsequently increases ROM1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different ROM1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000327. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any ROM1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000327.

In some embodiments, the TEAD1 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_021961. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 4. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained intron 4 and subsequently increases TEAD1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different TEAD1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_021961. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any TEAD1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_021961.

In some embodiments, the RDH5 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_002905 or NM_001199771. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 2 In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 59%. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 and/or 2 and subsequently increases RDH5 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RDH5 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002905 or NM_001199771. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RDH5 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002905 or NM_001199771.

In some embodiments, the PAX6 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001310160, NM_001310161, NM_001258465, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_001604, NM_001127612, NM_001258462, NM_001310159, NM_001310158, or NM_001258462. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 2 and/or 3 or 1 and/or 3 and/or 4 or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 or 4 and/or 6 and/or 7 or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 2 and/or 3. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 3 and/or 4. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 3 and/or 4 and/or 5. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 4 and/or 5 and/or 6. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 4 and/or 6 and/or 7. In some embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX 6 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 2 and/or 3 and/or 4. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of a retained intron and subsequently increases PAX6 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PAX6 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001310160, NM_001310161, NM_001258465, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_001604, NM_001127612, NM_001258462, NM_001310159, NM_001310158, or NM_001258462. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PAX6 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001310160, NM_001310161, NM_001258465, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_000280, NM_001258464, NM_001604, NM_001127612, NM_001258462, NM_001310159, NM_001310158, or NM_001258462.

In some embodiments, the FSCN2 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_012418 or NM_001077182. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 3. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 12 or 17. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 and/or 3 and subsequently increases FSCN2 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different FSCN2 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_012418 or NM_001077182. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any FSCN2 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_012418 or NM_001077182.

In embodiments, the TCF4 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236, NM_00123235, NM_001243234, NM_001243233, NM_001243232, NM_001243231, NM_003199, NM_001306207, NM_001306208, NM_001243227, NM_001243228, NM_001243230, NM_001243226, NM_001083962, NM_001330605, and NM_001330604. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9 or 11 or 12 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 11. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 12. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 14. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 15. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 16. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 17. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 9. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of a retained intron and subsequently increases TCF4 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different TCF4 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236, NM_00123235, NM_001243234, NM_001243233, NM_001243232, NM_001243231, NM_003199, NM_001306207, NM_001306208, NM_001243227, NM_001243228, NM_001243230, NM_001243226, NM_001083962, NM_001330605, and NM_001330604.

One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any TCF4 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001243236, NM_00123235, NM_001243234, NM_001243233, NM_001243232, NM_001243231, NM_003199, NM_001306207, NM_001306208, NM_001243227, NM_001243228, NM_001243230, NM_001243226, NM_001083962, NM_001330605, and NM_001330604.

In embodiments, the MFSD8 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 11 and/or 12. In embodiments, and the percent retained intron can be 15 or 62. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 11 and/or 12 and subsequently increases MFSD8 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different MFSD8 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any MFSD8 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152778.

In embodiments, the CTNS intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_004937 or NM_001031681. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9 and/or 10. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 10 or 18. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 9 and/or 10 and subsequently increases CTNS protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different CTNS isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_004937 or NM_001031681. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any CTNS isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_004937 or NM_001031681.

In embodiments, the OPTN intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001008211, NM_001008212, NM_001008213, or NM_021980. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 7 or 8 or 9. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 7. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 8. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 24. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 7 or 8 or 9 and subsequently increases OPTN protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different OPTN isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001008211, NM_001008212, NM_001008213, or NM_021980. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any OPTN isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001008211, NM_001008212, NM_001008213, or NM_021980.

In embodiments, the RLBP1 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000326. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 5 and/or 2. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 49. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 5 and/or 2 and subsequently increases RLBP1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RLBP1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000326. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RLBP1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000326.

In embodiments, the RPE65 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000329. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 10 and/or 9. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 11 or 10. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 10 and/or 9 and subsequently increases RPE65 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RPE65 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000329. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RPE65 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000329.

In embodiments, the LRAT intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001301645 or NM_004744. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the LRAT RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 2. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 2 and subsequently increases LRAT protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different LRAT isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001301645 or NM_004744. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any LRAT isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001301645 or NM_004744.

In embodiments, the RDH8 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_015725. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 4. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 4 and subsequently increases RDH8 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RDH8 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_015725. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RDH8 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_015725.

In embodiments, the RDH12 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_152443. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 7. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 7 and subsequently increases RDH12 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RDH12 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152443. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RDH12 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_152443.

In embodiments, the RGR intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_002921, NM_001012722, or NM_001012720. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RGR RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 2. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 46 or 61. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 and/or 2 and subsequently increases RGR protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different RGR isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002921, NM_001012722, or NM_001012720. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any RGR isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002921, NM_001012722, or NM_001012720.

In embodiments, the CNGA3 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001298 or NM_001079878. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 6 or 5. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 6. In embodiment, the targeted portion of the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 5. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 27. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 6 or 5 and subsequently increases CNGA3 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different CNGA3 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001298 or NM_001079878. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any CNGA3 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001298 or NM_001079878.

In embodiments, the PER1 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_002616. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 14. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 and/or 14 and subsequently increases PER1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PER1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002616. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PER1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_002616.

In embodiments, the IDUA intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203 or NR_110313. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 28, 29, 18, 20, or 12. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or land subsequently increases IDUA protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different IDUA isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203 or NR_110313. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any IDUA isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000203 or NR_110313.

In embodiments, the ABCA4 intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000350. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 40 and/or 38 and/or 36 and/or 44 and/or 39. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 40 and/or 38 and/or 36 and/or 44 and/or 39 and subsequently increases ABCA4 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different ABCA4 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000350. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any ABCA4 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000350.

In embodiments, the MYOC intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000261. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 2. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained 1 and/or 2 and subsequently increases MYOC protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different MYOC isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000261. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any MYOC isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000261.

In embodiments, the NR2E3 intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_014249 or NM_016346. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7 and subsequently increases NR2E3 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different NR2E3 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_014249 or NM_016346. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any NR2E3 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_014249 or NM_016346.

In embodiments, the NXNL1 intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_138454. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained 1 and subsequently increases NXNL1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different NXNL1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_138454. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any NXNL1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_138454.

In embodiments, the CRX intron number corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000554. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CRX RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 and/or 2 and/or 3. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and subsequently increases CRX protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different CRX isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000554. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any CRX isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000554.

ABCA4

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from an ABCA4 genomic sequence (an ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the ABCA4 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34790. In some embodiments, the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34813. In some embodiments, the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 40 and/or 38 and/or 36 and/or 44 and/or 39. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 40, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61463. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 38, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61495. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 36, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61445. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 44, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61470. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 39, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61453. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 40, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 34873-35104. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 38, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 35105-35332. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 36, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 35333-. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 44, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 35564-35805. In some embodiments, when the ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 39, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 35806-35915. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an ABCA4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RPE65

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RPE65 genomic sequence (an RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RPE65 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34791. In some embodiments, the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34814. In some embodiments, the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, when the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61480. In some embodiments, when the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 10, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61460. In some embodiments, when the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 35916-36082. In some embodiments, when the RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 10, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 36083-36317. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RPE65 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

MYOC

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a MYOC genomic sequence (a MYOC RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the MYOC genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34792. In some embodiments, the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34815. In some embodiments, the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 2. In some embodiments, when the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61458. In some embodiments, when the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61485. In some embodiments, when the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 36318-36644. In some embodiments, when the MYOC RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 36645-37107. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a MYOC RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

CNGA3

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a CNGA3 genomic sequence (a CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the CNGA3 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34793. In some embodiments, the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34816 or 34817. In some embodiments, the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6 and/or 5. In some embodiments, when the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61500. In some embodiments, when the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61500. In some embodiments, when the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 37108-37333. In some embodiments, when the CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 37334-37559. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a CNGA3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

MFSD8

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a MFSD8 genomic sequence (an MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the MFSD8 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34794. In some embodiments, the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34818. In some embodiments, the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 11 and/or 12. In some embodiments, when the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 11, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61492. In some embodiments, when the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61497. In some embodiments, when the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 11, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 37560-37641. In some embodiments, when the MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 37642-38420. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an MFSD8 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

IDUA

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a IDUA genomic sequence (an IDUA RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the IDUA genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34795. In some embodiments, the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34819 or 34820. In some embodiments, the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61457. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61468. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61489. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61444. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61452. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38421-38486 or 38827-38893. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38487-38602 or 38893-39008. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38603-38668 or 39009-39074. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38669-38741 or 39075-39147. In some embodiments, when the IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 38742-38826 or 39147-39232. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an IDUA RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

LRAT

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a LRAT genomic sequence (an LRAT RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the LRAT genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34796. In some embodiments, the LRAT RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34821 or 34822. In some embodiments, the LRAT RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2. In some embodiments, when the LRAT RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61474. In some embodiments, when the LRAT RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 39233-41436. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an LRAT RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

OPTN

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a OPTN genomic sequence (an OPTN RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the OPTN genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34797. In some embodiments, the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34823, 34824, 34825, or 34826. In some embodiments, the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9 or 8 or 7. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61503. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 8, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61503. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61503. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41437-41669 or 41903-42135. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 8, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 41670-41903. In some embodiments, when the OPTN RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 42136-42368. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an OPTN RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RGR

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RGR genomic sequence (an RGR RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RGR genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34798. In some embodiments, the RGR RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34827, 34828, or 34829. In some embodiments, the RGR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 2. In some embodiments, when the RGR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61446. In some embodiments, when the RGR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61476 or 61472. In some embodiments, when the RGR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 42369-42595, 42830-43056, or 43289-43515. In some embodiments, when the RGR RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 42596-42829, 43057-43288, or 43516-43747. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RGR RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

TEAD1

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a TEAD1 genomic sequence (a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the TEAD1 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34799. In some embodiments, the TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34830. In some embodiments, the TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4. In some embodiments, when the TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61461. In some embodiments, when the TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 43748-43952. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

PAX6

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PAX6 genomic sequence (a PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the PAX6 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34800. In some embodiments, the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34831, 34832, 34833, 34834, 34835, 34836, 34837, 34838, 34839, 34840, or 34841. In some embodiments, the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2 and/or 3 or 1 and/or 3 and/or 4 or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 or 4 and/or 6 and/or 7 or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61496. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61486 or 61483. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61466, 61467, 61483, or 61448. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61502, 61448, or 61483. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61502 or 61448. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61502 or 61467. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61502. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 44297-44564. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 43955-44088 or 48374-48574. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 44089-44302, 44565-44637, 44850-45049, or 48578-48809. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 44638-44849, 45050-45281, 45493-45692, 46136-46335, 46779-46978, 47257-47456, 47900-48099, 48810-49220, or 49499-49698. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 45282-45492, 45693-45924, 46336-46567, or 47457-47688. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 45925-46135, 46568-46778, 46979-47045, 47689-47899, 48100-48166, 49221-49287, or 49699-49765. In some embodiments, when the PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 47046-47256, 48167-48377, 49288-49498, or 49766-49976. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a PAX6 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

ROM1

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a ROM1 genomic sequence (a ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the ROM1 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34801. In some embodiments, the ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34842. In some embodiments, the ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1. In some embodiments, when the ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61454. In some embodiments, when the ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 49969-50275. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a ROM1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RDH5

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RDH5 genomic sequence (an RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RDH5 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34802. In some embodiments, the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34843 or 34844. In some embodiments, the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 2. In some embodiments, when the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61493 or 61498. In some embodiments, when the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61455 or 61473. In some embodiments, when the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 50276-50489 or 50276-50846. In some embodiments, when the RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 50490-50633 or 50847-50991. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RDH5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RDH12

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RDH12 genomic sequence (an RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RDH12 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34803. In some embodiments, the RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34845. In some embodiments, the RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7. In some embodiments, when the RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61482. In some embodiments, when the RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 50992-51247. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RDH12 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

NR2E3

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a NR2E3 genomic sequence (an NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the NR2E3 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34804. In some embodiments, the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34846 or 34846. In some embodiments, the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 2 and/or 3 and/or 4 and/or 5 and/or 6 and/or 7. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61491. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61449. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61494. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61487. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61447. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61465. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61501 or 61490. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51256-16661 or 52052-52254. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51459-16272 or 52255-52320. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51525-51595 or 52321-52391. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51596-51687 or 52392-52483. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51688-51924 or 52484-52720. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 6, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51925-51966 or 52721-52762. In some embodiments, when the NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 7, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 51967-52051 or 52763-53006. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an NR2E3 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RLBP1

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RLBP1 genomic sequence (an RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RLBP1 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34805. In some embodiments, the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34848. In some embodiments, the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2 and/or 5 In some embodiments, when the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61462. In some embodiments, when the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61456. In some embodiments, when the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 52999-53172. In some embodiments, when the RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 5, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 53173-53427. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RLBP1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

CTNS

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a CTNS genomic sequence (a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the CTNS genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34806. In some embodiments, the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34849 or 34850. In some embodiments, the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, when the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61479. In some embodiments, when the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 10, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61481. In some embodiments, when the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 53436-53658 or 53884-54106. In some embodiments, when the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 10, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 53659-53883 or 54107-54331. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

PER1

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a PER1 genomic sequence (a PER1 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the PER1 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34807. In some embodiments, the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34851. In some embodiments, the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 14. In some embodiments, when the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61471. In some embodiments, when the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 14, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61499. In some embodiments, when the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 54324-54571. In some embodiments, when the PER1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 14, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 54572-54634. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a PER1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

FSCN2

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a FSCN2 genomic sequence (an FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the FSCN2 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34808. In some embodiments, the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34852 or 34853. In some embodiments, the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 3. In some embodiments, when the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61459. In some embodiments, when the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61451 or 61450. In some embodiments, when the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 54635-55021 or 55137-55523. In some embodiments, when the FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55022-55136 or 55524-55638. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an FSCN2 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

TCF4

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a TCF4 genomic sequence (a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the TCF4 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34809. In some embodiments, the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34854, 34855, 34856, 34857, 34858, 34859, 34860, 34861, 34862, 34863, 34864, 34865, 34866, 34867, 34868, or 34869. In some embodiments, the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9 or 12 or 14 or 16 or 15 or 17 or 11.

In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61477. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61477 or 61478. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 14, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61477. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 16, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61477 or 61478. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 15, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61477 or 61478. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 17, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61478. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 11, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61478. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 9, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 55649-56366. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 12, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 56367-56852 or 57579-57820. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 14, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 56853-57094. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 16, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 57095-57336, 58065-58308, 58795-59038, or 59283-59526. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 15, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 57337-57578, 57821-58064, or 58299-58550. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 17, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 58551-58794. In some embodiments, when the TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 11, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 59039-59282. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a TCF4 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

RDH8

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a RDH8 genomic sequence (an RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the RDH8 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34810. In some embodiments, the RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34870. In some embodiments, the RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4. In some embodiments, when the RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61469. In some embodiments, when the RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 4, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 59526-59662. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an RDH8 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

NXNL1

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a NXNL1 genomic sequence (an NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the NXNL1 genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34811. In some embodiments, the NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34871. In some embodiments, the NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1. In some embodiments, when the NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61488. In some embodiments, when the NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 59663-60020. In some embodiments, the ASOs target an NXNL1 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

CRX

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a CRX genomic sequence (a CRX RIC pre-mRNA). In some embodiments, the CRX genomic sequence is SEQ ID NO: 34812. In some embodiments, the CRX RIC pre-mRNA is SEQ ID NO: 34872. In some embodiments, the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1 and/or 2 and/or or 3. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61464. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61484. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASOs disclosed herein target SEQ ID NO: 61475. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 1, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 60021-60254. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 2, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 60255-60484. In some embodiments, when the CRX RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises retained intron 3, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 60485-61443. In some embodiments, the ASOs target a CRX RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments the RIC pre-mRNA transcript comprises a retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon flanking the 5′ splice site. In some embodiments, the ASO targets the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon flanking the 3′ splice site. A subsequent example of ASO targeting is provided below using TEAD1.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 of TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 44 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 43748-43756.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 4 in a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 6 to about 496 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 8968-9064.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 4 sequence about 16 to about 499 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA a comprising retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 43854-43943.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 5 in a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 5 sequence about 2 to about 42 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a TEAD1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 4. In some embodiments, the ASO has a sequence according to any one of SEQ ID NOs: 44044-43952.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA is in intron 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of at least one of retained introns 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, and subsequently increases ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein production.

The degree of intron retention can be expressed as percent intron retention (PIR), the percentage of transcripts in which a given intron is retained. In brief, PIR can be calculated as the percentage of the average number of reads mapping to the exon-intron junctions, over the sum of the average of the exon-intron junction reads plus the exon-exon junction reads.

PIR values for SCN1A have been reported, e.g., by Braunschweig, et al., 2014, (see, e.g., Supplemental Table S9), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, wherein the subject has a deficient amount of activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and wherein the deficient amount of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and a second allele from which the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and an increase in the expression of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in the cells of the subject

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein) or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency in the amount or function of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC,         TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12,         RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is produced at a reduced         level compared to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC,         TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12,         RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is produced in a form         having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type         protein, or     -   iii) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4,         MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8,         RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein or functional RNA         is not produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC,         TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12,         RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is produced at a reduced         level compared to production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC,         TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12,         RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is produced in a form         having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type         protein, or     -   iii) the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4,         MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8,         RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is not produced,         and

wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein and an increase in the expression of the target protein or functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA whole gene deletion, in one allele.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) can be used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, can be contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA can result in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information (operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894). As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to NCBI Gene ID: (ROM1:6094; TEAD1:7003; RDH5:5959; NR2E3:10002; PAX6:5080; CRX: 1406; FSCN2: 25794; ABCA4:24; MYOC:4653; TCF4:6925; MFSD8:256471; CTNS:1497; NXNL1:115861). Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, resulting in increased expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with any of the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA respectively, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in cells, for example, in a subject having a deficiency in the amount or activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein can induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, or the mature mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein and increasing the expression of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing can correctly remove a retained intron from a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein correctly removes a retained intron from a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein, wherein the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing can correctly remove a retained intron from a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein or the amount of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a wild-type ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA can be produce by partial splicing of a full-length ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases, that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention, comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intravitreal injection, subretinal injection, topical application, implantation, intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the heart or liver. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

The compositions of the present invention may be provided to muscle cells by any suitable means, including direct administration (e.g., locally by injection or topical administration at a treatment site) or systemically (e.g., parenterally or orally), intranasally, orally, or by intravitreal, subretinal, implantation, inhalational, enteral, topical, intrauterine, vaginal, sublingual, rectal, intramuscular, intrapleural, intraventricular, intraperitoneal, ophthalmic, intravenous, or subcutaneous means.

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of a ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, NR2E3, PAX6, CRX, FSCN2, ABCA4, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, NXNL1, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 or IDUA RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk can be perform by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Liver Disease

Liver disease is a debilitating condition that results in an estimated 60,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. In many cases, the only hope for those suffering from liver failure is a liver transplant, though the donor pool is only estimated to be approximately 4,000. Therefore, the odds of receiving a transplant is low, and there are few treatments available to ameliorate the condition for those unable to receive a transplant. Therefore, there exists a need for compositions and methods for treating liver diseases.

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having one or more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts of the gene, which encodes a protein that is deficient in a subset of liver diseases, have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated protein levels. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice site of a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by a protein deficiency.

Liver diseases that can be treated by the invention described herein are diseases where a subject is deficient in a gene product, where deficiency in a gene product causes the liver disease.

These AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 and NCOA5 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 deficiency.

In some embodiments, disclosed herein are compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein levels. These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein 0-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 haploinsufficiency.

In embodiments, the described compositions and methods are used to treat a subject or patient having a liver condition that is caused by a deficiency in the target protein. In embodiments the described compositions and methods are used to treat a subject or patient having a liver condition that is not caused by a deficiency in the target protein. In embodiments, the subject or patient having a liver condition can benefit from increased production of the target protein by supplementing normal production of the target protein. In related embodiments, the subject or patient having a liver condition can benefit from increased production of the target protein by increasing mature mRNA production and/or supplementing normal production of the target protein. In certain embodiments, wherein the condition that is not necessarily caused by a deficiency of the target protein but is nonetheless treated by increasing production of the target protein using the present methods, the target protein is TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, PPARD, IL6, CERS2, or NCOA5. In embodiments, the target protein acts on a secondary target to ameliorate or treat the liver condition in the subject. In embodiments, the secondary target protein is deficient in the subject. In embodiments, the secondary target protein is not deficient in the subject.

Glycine Encephalopathy

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disorder Glycine Encephalopathy (GCE). The predominant phenotype of GCE is the neonatal phenotype, which manifests early in life. Symptoms of this phenotype include lethargy, hypotonia, myoclonic jerks, seizures, mental retardation, apnea and often death. In other instances, GCE manifests in childhood, with symptoms including mild mental retardation, delirium, chorea, and vertical gaze palsy. The late onset form of GCE results in spastic diplegia and optic atrophy, but typically does not result in mental retardation or seizures.

GCE can manifest as a result of deficiency in the glycine cleavage system in the liver. Deficiency in the protein aminomethyltransferase (AMT) has been implicated in the progression of GCE and studies have linked AMT deficiency and the progression of GCE. AMT is a component of the glycine cleavage system in the mitochondria of liver cells. The AMT gene, which codes for the AMT protein, is a 6 kb gene spanning 9 exons located on 3p21.2. Mutations in the AMT gene have been shown to cause the clinical phenotype associated with GCE. In one study, a patient heterozygous for a G269D mutation. Other studies have examined other missense mutations in AMT that result in the progression of GCE, thereby establishing a positive link between AMT deficiency and the progression of GCE.

Zellweger Syndrome/Heimler Syndrome

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disorder Zellweger Syndrome. Zellweger Syndrome is a severe peroxisomal biogenesis disorder characterized by severe neurologic dysfunction, craniofacial abnormalities, and liver dysfunction. Patients afflicted with the classic Zellweger Syndrome phenotype typically die within the first year of life.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disorder Heimler syndrome. Heimler syndrome is the mildest form the peroxisomal biogenesis disorders characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, enamel hypoplasia of the secondary dentition and nail abnormalities.

Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency. ADA deficiency generally manifests in infancy, and is generally fatal, though a small subset of patients display a late onset form of the disease that is generally milder than the infantile form. Patients afflicted with the late onset form of ADA deficiency typically show gradual immunologic deterioration, which leads to a number of secondary infections.

Deficiency in the ADA protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in ADA deficiency. The ADA gene, which is located at 20q13 and spans 10 exons, codes for the ADA protein. Mutations in the ADA gene resulting in deficient amounts of ADA protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of ADA deficiency. In one study, a pair of children diagnosed with ADA deficiency were examined. Both children were found to have diminished levels of ADA protein, while both of the parents were found to have intermediate levels of the ADA protein. This finding supported the recessive pattern of inheritance proposed for the disease, and provides a positive link between diminished ADA protein and the clinical manifestations of ADA deficiency.

Porphyria Variegata

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the liver disease porphyria variegate (VP). VP is characterized by cutaneous manifestations, such as increased photosensitivity, blistering, skin fragility, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Additional manifestations include abdominal pain, dark urine, and neuropsychiatric symptoms that characterize the acute hepatic porphyrias.

Deficiency in the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in VP. The PPOX gene, which is located at 1q23.3 and spans 13 exons, codes for the PPOX protein. Mutations in the PPOX gene resulting in deficient amounts of PPOX protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of VP. While there exists a rare homozygous form of VP, “classical” VP is characterized by mutations in a single allele of the PPOX gene, thus proceeding via a haploinsufficiency mechanism. Several studies have linked heterozygous mutations in PPOX with the progression of VP, which is a result of diminished levels of PPOX protein found in patients afflicted with VP.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). PCT is characterized by light sensitive dermatitis and excretion of uroporphyrin in urine.

Deficiency in the uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in PCT. The UROD gene, which is located at 1p34.1 and spans 10 exons, codes for the UROD protein. Mutations in the UROD gene resulting in deficient amounts of UROD protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of PCT. In one study, a G381V mutation in the UROD gene was shown in a patient with the familial version of PCT, which resulted in diminished levels of the UROD protein. Other studies have also shown correlation between diminished UROD protein levels and the progression of PCT.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). AIP is characterized by defects in the biosynthesis of heme. Clinical manifestations of AIP include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and neurologic disturbance that may lead to death.

Deficiency in the hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS) protein (nonerythroid, or both erythroid and nonerythroid) results in the clinical manifestations shown in AIP. The HMBS gene, which is located at 11q23.3 and spans 15 exons, codes for the HMBS protein. HMBS also is referred to as porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD). Mutations in the HMBS gene resulting in deficient amounts of HMBS protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of AIP. In one study, 19 separate mutations in HMBS were found in 28 families displaying AIP, further providing a link between HMBS deficiency and AIP.

Very Long Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) deficiency. VLCAD is characterized by nonketotic hypoglycemia, cardiorespiratory arrest, hepatomegaly, cardiomegaly, and hypotonia, which are believed to be manifestations resulting from a defect in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.

Deficiency in the VLCAD protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in VLCAD deficiency. The ACADVL gene, which is located at 17p13.1 and spans 20 exons, codes for the VLCAD protein. Mutations in the ACADVL gene resulting in deficient amounts of VLCAD protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of VLCAD deficiency. In one study, 2 patients displaying VLCAD deficiency were found to have a 105 bp deletion in the ACADVL gene. In another study, 21 different missense mutations were found in 18 children displaying VLCAD deficiency. In aggregate, studies such as these have shown a positive link between deficiency in VLCAD and the clinical manifestations seen in patients displaying VLCAD deficiency.

Pyruvate Carboxylase Deficiency

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease pyruvate carboxylase (PC) deficiency. PC deficiency is categorized into 3 phenotypic subtypes. Patients with type A, which is more prevalent in North America, display lactic academia and psychomotor retardation. Patients with type B, which is more severe than type A and is more prevalent in France and the United Kingdom, display increased serum lactate, ammonia, citrulline and lysine, and intracellular redox disturbance with a higher incidence of mortality. Type C is the more milder form of PC deficiency and is generally benign.

Deficiency in the pyruvate carboxylase (PC) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in PC deficiency. The PC gene, which is located at 11q13.2 and spans 19 exons, codes for the PC protein. The familial inheritance is believed to proceed via an autosomal recessive mechanism, and the carrier frequency is estimated to be as high as 1 in 10 in certain families. Mutations in the PC gene resulting in deficient amounts of PC protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of PC deficiency. In one study, missense mutations in the PC gene in patients suffering from type A PC deficiency were discovered, thereby providing a link between a deficiency in PC protein levels and the clinical manifestations associated with PC deficiency.

Isovaleric Acidemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease isovaleric academia (IVA). IVA is categorized into 2 phenotypic subtypes: an acute and chronic subtype. The acute subtype leads to massive metabolic acidosis and ultimately death. The chronic subtype results in periods of attacks of severe ketoacidosis followed by asymptomatic periods. Clinical manifestations of IVA include peculiar odor, an aversion to dietary protein and vomiting.

Deficiency in the isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in IVA. The IVD gene, which is located at 15q13 and spans 12 exons, codes for the IVD protein. Mutations in the IVD gene resulting in deficient amounts of IVD protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of IVA deficiency. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in IVD that result in IVD deficiency, and have shown that mutations that result in deficiency in the amount of IVD protein result in the clinical manifestations seen in IVA.

Hyperchylomicronemia/Hypertriglyceridemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease hyperchylomicronemia. Hyperchylomicronemia is characterized by increased amounts of chylomicrons and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and decreased LDL and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the plasma.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease hypertriglyceridemia. Patients afflicted with hypertriglyceridemia generally have normal levels of cholesterol while displaying elevated levels of triglycerides. Other than elevated triglycerides, patients are generally asymptomatic.

Deficiency in apolipoprotein A-V (APOA5) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in both hyperchylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The APOA5 gene, which is located at 11q23.3 and spans 4 exons, codes for the APOA5 protein. Mutations in the APOA5 gene resulting in deficient amounts of APOA5 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of both hyperchylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in APOA5 that result in both hyperchylomicronemia and hypertriglyceridemia. For example in one study, a S19W mutation in APOA5 was shown to result in a deficiency in the amount of APOA5 protein, which manifested as hyperchylomicronemia in a family of patients.

Galactosemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease galactosemia. Galactosemia generally manifests during neonatal development, and is characterized by jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatocellular insufficiency, food intolerance, hypoglycemia, renal tubular dysfunction, muscle hypotonia, sepsis, and cataracts. Overtime, patients afflicted with galactosemia experience mental retardation, verbal dyspraxia, motor abnormalities, and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

Deficiency in the galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT) protein results in the clinical manifestations shown in galactosemia. The GALT gene, which is located at 15q11.2 and spans 11 exons, codes for the GALT protein. Mutations in the GALT gene resulting in deficient amounts of GALT protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of galactosemia. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in GALT that result in galactosemia, and have shown that mutations that result in deficiency in the amount of GALT protein result in the clinical manifestations seen in galactosemia. In one study, a M142K mutation was found to decrease the amount of GALT protein to approximately 4% of the normal level, which provides a positive link between deficiency in the amount of GALT protein and the clinical progression of galactosemia.

Hypercholesterolemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease hypercholesterolemia (ARH). ARH is characterized by severely elevated plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, tuberous and tendon xanthomata and premature atherosclerosis.

Deficiency in the protein low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1 (LDLRAP1) results in the clinical manifestations shown in ARH. The LDLRAP1 gene, which is located at 1p36.11 and spans 9 exons, codes for the LDLRAP1 protein. Mutations in the LDLRAP1 gene resulting in deficient amounts of LDLRAP1 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of ARH. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in LDLRAP1 that result in ARH, and have shown that mutations that result in deficiency in the amount of LDLRAP1 protein result in the clinical manifestations seen in ARH. A number of studies examined a conserved nonsense mutation in the LDLRAP1 gene, which resulted in substantial decrease in the amount of LDLRAP1 protein, and hence the clinical manifestations associated with ARH.

Diabetes Mellitus

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 1 (MODY1). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 2 (MODY2). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 3 (MODY3). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 1 (IDDM1). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 20 (IDDM20). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat Falconi renotubular syndrome 4 with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (FRTS4). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat hyperinsulemic hypoglycemia familial 3 (HHF3). In other embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). Diabetes mellitus are a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar, with symptoms including frequent urination, increased thirst, increased hunger, diabetic ketoacidosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers and damage to the eyes.

While there are a number of factors that can contribute to the progression of diabetes, deficiency in the protein hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4A) has been shown to correlate to the incidence of MODY1, NIDDM and FRTS4. The HNF4A gene, which is located at 20q13.12 and spans 12 exons, codes for the HNF4A protein. Mutations in the HNF4A gene resulting in deficient amounts of HNF4A protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of MODY1, NIDDM and FRTS4. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in HNF4A that result in MODY1, NIDDM and FRTS4 and have shown that mutations that result in deficiency in the amount of HNF4A protein result in the clinical manifestations seen in diabetes. For example, one study demonstrated that a nonsense mutation at Q268 was present in a large population of patients afflicted with MODY1. In another study, the authors concluded that mutations in HNF4A is associated with increased birth weight and macrosomia, which eventually evolves into the hyperinsulinemia seen in patients afflicted with diabetes. Studies such this and others have positively correlated the deficiency in the amount of expressed HNF4A protein with the progression of diabetes.

Deficiency in the protein glucokinase (GCK) has been shown to correlate to the incidence of NIDDM, MODY2, HHF3 and PNDM. The GCK gene, which is located at 7p13 and spans 12 exons, codes for the GCK protein. Mutations in the GCK gene resulting in deficient amounts of GCK protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of NIDDM, MODY2, HHF3 and PNDM. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in GCK that result in NIDDM, MODY2, HHF3 and PNDM and have positively correlated the deficiency in the amount of expressed GCK protein with the progression of diabetes.

Deficiency in the protein hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor (HNF1A) has been shown to correlate to the incidence of MODY3, IDDM20, IDDM1 and NIDDM. The HNF1A gene, which is located at 12q24.31 and spans 10 exons, codes for the HNF1A protein. Mutations in the HNF1A gene resulting in deficient amounts of HNF1A protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of MODY3, IDDM20, IDDM1 and NIDDM. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in HNF1A that result in MODY3, IDDM20, IDDM1 and NIDDM, and have positively correlated the deficiency in the amount of expressed HNF1A protein with the progression of diabetes.

Deficiency in the protein nuclear receptor coactivator 5 (NCOA5) has been shown to correlate to the incidence of type II diabetes, glucose intolerance and ultimately liver cancer. The NCOA5 gene, which is located at 20q13.12 and spans 8 exons, codes for the NCOA5 protein. Mutations in the NCOA5 gene resulting in deficient amounts of NCOA5 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of diabetes. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in NCOA5 that result in diabetes, and have positively correlated the deficiency in the amount of expressed NCOA5 protein with the progression of diabetes.

Hepatic Adenoma

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease hepatic adenoma. Hepatic adenoma is an uncommon benign liver tumor with a very low risk of malignant transformation. Patients afflicted with hepatic adenoma are generally asymptomatic unless the tumor begins to hemorrhage, which could lead to hypotension, tachycardia and diaphoresis.

Deficiency in the HNF1A protein can result in the progression of hepatic adenoma. Mutations in the HNF1A gene resulting in deficient amounts of HNF1A protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of hepatic adenoma.

Dowling-Degos Disease 4

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant liver disease Dowling-Degos disease 4 (DDD4). DDD4 is characterized by retricular pigmentation that presents in adult life, particularly in the folds of the skin. While the manifestations affect somatic cells, the pigmentation results from dysfunction of the liver.

Deficiency in the protein O-glucosyltransferase 1 (POGLUT1) results in the clinical manifestations shown in DDD4. The POGLUT1 gene, which is located at 3q13.33 and spans 11 exons, codes for the POGLUT1 protein. Mutations in the POGLUT1 gene resulting in deficient amounts of POGLUT1 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of DDD4. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in POGLUT1 that result in DDD4, and have shown that mutations that result in deficiency in the amount of POGLUT1 protein result in the clinical manifestations seen in DDD4.

SHORT Syndrome/Immunodeficiency 36/Agammaglobulinemia 7

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat SHORT syndrome. SHORT syndrome is an acronym for the clinical conditions that are associated with the condition, including short stature, hyperextensibility of joints and/or inguinal hernia, ocular depression, rieger anomaly and teething delay. Other symptoms characteristic of SHORT syndrome include a triangular face, small chin with a dimple, loss of fat under the skin, abnormal position of the ears, hearing loss and delayed speech.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant disease immunodeficiency 36 (IMD36). IMD36 is characterized by impaired B-cell function, hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infections.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disease agammaglobulinemia 7 (AGM7). AGM7 is characterized by impaired B-cell function, hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infections. AGM7 is an immunodeficiency disease characterized by low serum antibodies and low circulating B cells, which results in recurrent infections.

Deficiency in the protein phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1) results in the clinical manifestations shown in SHORT syndrome, IMD36 and AGM7. The PIK3R1 gene, which is located at 5q13.1 and spans 16 exons, codes for the PIK3R1 protein. Mutations in the PIK3R1 gene resulting in deficient amounts of PIK3R1 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of SHORT syndrome, IMD36 and AGM7. Several studies have looked at a number of different mutations in PIK3R1 that result in SHORT syndrome, IMD36 and AGM7. In one study, a R649W mutation in PIK3R1 was found a population of unrelated individuals diagnosed with SHORT syndrome. The same mutation was witnessed in an affected mother and her two sons, which provided evidence of the autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance of SHORT syndrome.

Lipid Metabolism Dysfunction

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the lipid metabolism deficiency caused by deficiency in the protein Tribbles-1 (TRIB1). Deficiency in the amount of TRIB1 protein, which is encoded by the TRIB1 gene located on 8q24.13 and spans 3 exons, has been shown to be correlated to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Mice lacking TRIB1 were shown to have diminished adipose tissue mass accompanied by increased lipolysis, which positively linked diminished levels of TRIB1 with dysfunction in lipid metabolism.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the lipid metabolism deficiency caused by deficiency in the protein peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta (PPARD). Deficiency in the amount of PPARD protein, which is encoded by the PPARD gene located on chromosome 6 and spans 8 exons, has been shown to be correlated to increased lipid metabolism dysfunction.

Liver Inflammation

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the liver inflammation caused by deficiency in the protein transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFB1). Deficiency in the amount of TGBF1 protein, which is encoded by the TGBF1 gene located on 19813.2 and spans 7 exons, has been shown to be correlated to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Knockout mice displaying the TGBF1 (−/−) genotype were shown to develop severe liver inflammation due to CD4(+) T-cell mediated inflammation. Such studies provide a positive correlation between deficiency in the amount of TGBF1 protein and increased incidence of liver inflammation.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the lipid inflammation caused by deficiency in the protein interleukin 6 (IL6). Deficiency in the amount of IL6 protein, which is encoded by the IL6 gene located on 7p15.3 and spans 5 exons, has been shown to be correlated to lipid inflammation.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the lipid inflammation or steatohepatitis caused by deficiency in the ceramide synthase 2 (CERS2) protein. Deficiency in the amount of CERS2 protein, which is encoded by the CERS2 gene located on 1q21.3 and spans 11 exons, has been shown to be correlated to steatohepatitis and insulin resistance.

Hemochromatosis Type 2B

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive liver disease hemochromatosis type 2B (HFE2B). HFE2B (otherwise known as iron overload) is characterized by joint pain, fatigue and weakness, which ultimately results in organ damage.

Deficiency in the protein hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (HAMP) results in the clinical manifestations shown in HFE2B. The HAMP gene, which is located at 19q13.12 and spans 3 exons, codes for the HAMP protein. Mutations in the HAMP gene resulting in deficient amounts of HAMP protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of HFE2B. Nonsense mutations have been reported at G93 and R56 in patients afflicted with HFE2B, while missense mutations such as G71D have also been found. These mutations, which result in diminished amounts of the HAMP protein, were proposed to be a direct cause of HFE2B, thereby providing a direct correlation between diminished levels of HAMP and incidence of HFE2B.

Thrombocytopenia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant disease thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is characterized by a decrease in the amount of thrombocytes in the blood. While many cases of thrombocytopenia are asymptomatic, some patients experience external bleeding such as nose bleeds, malaise, fatigue and general weakness.

Deficiency in the protein thrombopoietin (THPO) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of thrombocytopenia. The THPO gene, which is located at 3q27.1 and spans 6 exons, codes for the THPO protein. Mutations in the THPO gene resulting in deficient amounts of THPO protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of thrombocytopenia. In one study, a single nucleotide deletion at 3252 was seen in 3 generations of a family afflicted with thrombocytopenia. This study correlated the deficiency of THPO protein levels as a result of the deletion with the incidence of thrombocytopenia.

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is characterized by the accumulation of excess triglycerides in the liver, which can be associated with adverse metabolic consequences such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Factors that can influence the progression of NAFLD include obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. In some instances, aggregated fatty deposits in a liver can promote an inflammatory response, which can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Deficiency in the protein patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of NAFLD. The PNPLA3 gene, which is located at 22q13 and spans 9 exons, codes for the PNPLA3 protein. Mutations in the PNPLA3 gene resulting in deficient amounts of PNPLA3 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of NAFLD. Polymorphisms such as C99G, G115C, I148M, T216P and K434E have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of NAFLD. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of PNPLA3, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the PNPLA3 protein and the progression of NAFLD.

Wilson Disease

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disorder Wilson disease. Wilson disease is characterized by dramatic build-up of intracellular hepatic copper with subsequent hepatic and neurologic abnormalities. Wilson disease may present itself in a patient with tiredness, increased bleeding tendency or confusion (due to hepatic encephalopathy) and portal hypertension.

Deficiency in the protein copper-transporting ATPase 2 (ATP7B) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of Wilson disease. The ATP7B gene, which is located at 13q14.3 and spans 21 exons, codes for the ATP7B protein. Mutations in the ATP7B gene resulting in deficient amounts of ATP7B protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of Wilson disease. Mutations in ATP7B such as L492S, Y532H, G591D, R616Q and G626A have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of Wilson disease. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of ATP7B, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the ATP7B protein and the progression of Wilson disease.

Tyrosinemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat tyrosinemia. Tyrosinemia is characterized by progressive liver disease and a secondary renal tubular dysfunction leading to hypophosphatemic rickets. Onset varies from infancy to adolescence. In the most acute form patients present with severe liver failure within weeks after birth, whereas rickets may be the major symptom in chronic tyrosinemia. Untreated, patients die from cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma at a young age

Deficiency in the protein fumarylacetoacetase (FAH) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of tyrosinemia. The FAH gene, which is located at 15q25.1 and spans 14 exons, codes for the FAH protein. Mutations in the FAH gene resulting in deficient amounts of FAH protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of FAH. Polymorphisms such as N16I, A134D, C193R, D233V and Q279R have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of FAH. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of FAH, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the tyrosinemia protein and the progression of FAH.

Argininosuccinate Lyase Deficiency

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disorder argininosuccinate lyase deficiency. Argininosuccinate lyase deficiency is characterized by mental and physical retardation, liver enlargement, skin lesions, dry and brittle hair showing trichorrhexis nodosa microscopically and fluorescing red, convulsions, and episodic unconsciousness.

Deficiency in the protein argininosuccinate lyase (ASL) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency. The ASL gene, which is located at 7q11.21 and spans 17 exons, codes for the ASL protein. Mutations in the ASL gene resulting in deficient amounts of ASL protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency. Polymorphisms such as R113Q, V178M, R182Q, R236W, Q286R and R456W have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of ASL, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the ASL protein and the progression of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency.

Hemochromatosis Type 1

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disorder hemochromatosis type 1. Hemochromatosis type 1 is characterized by iron overload. Excess iron is deposited in a variety of organs leading to their failure, and resulting in serious illnesses including cirrhosis, hepatomas, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, arthritis, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Severe effects of the disease usually do not appear until after decades of progressive iron loading.

Deficiency in the hereditary hemochromatosis protein has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of hemochromatosis type 1. The HFE gene, which is located at 6p22.2 and spans 6 exons, codes for the hereditary hemochromatosis protein. Mutations in the ASL gene resulting in deficient amounts of hereditary hemochromatosis protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of hemochromatosis type 1. Polymorphisms such as S65C, Q127H, A176V, C282Y, Q283P and V295A have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of hemochromatosis type 1. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of hereditary hemochromatosis protein, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the hereditary hemochromatosis protein and the progression of hemochromatosis type 1.

Alstrom Syndrome

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disorder Alstrom syndrome. Alstrom syndrome is characterized by progressive cone-rod retinal dystrophy, neurosensory hearing loss, early childhood obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Dilated cardiomyopathy, acanthosis nigricans, male hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, developmental delay and hepatic dysfunction can also be associated with the syndrome.

Deficiency in the protein alstrom syndrome protein 1 has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of Alstrom syndrome. The ALMS1 gene, which is located at 2p13.1 and spans 23 exons, codes for the alstrom syndrome protein. Mutations in the ALMS1 gene resulting in deficient amounts of alstrom syndrome protein 1 have been shown to be responsible for the progression of Alstrom syndrome. Polymorphisms such as V671G, G1412A, I1875V, S2111R, D2672H and K3434E have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of Alstrom syndrome. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of alstrom syndrome protein 1, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the alstrom syndrome protein 1 and the progression of Alstrom syndrome.

Congenital Bile Acid Synthesis Defect 1

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive disorder congenital bile acid synthesis defect 1 (CBAS1). CBAS1 is a primary defect in bile synthesis leading to progressive liver disease. Clinical features include neonatal jaundice, severe intrahepatic cholestasis, cirrhosis.

Deficiency in the protein 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7 (3BHS7) has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of CBAS1. The HSD3B7 gene, which is located at 16p11.2 and spans 6 exons, codes for the 3BHS7 protein. Mutations in the HSD3B7 gene resulting in deficient amounts of 3BHS7 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of CBAS1. Polymorphisms such as G19S, E147K, T250A and L347P have been found in populations manifesting symptoms of CBAS1. These missense mutations were shown to result in decreased levels of 3BHS7, which provides a correlation between the deficiency of the 3BHS7 protein and the progression of CBAS1.

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 gene and encoding aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of aminomethyltransferase, adenosine deaminase, protoporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A-V, galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha, glucokinase, hepatic nuclear factor-1-alpha albumin proximal factor, protein O-glucosyltransferase 1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, Tribbles-1, transforming growth factor beta-1, hemochromatosis type 2B, thrombopoietin, patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3, copper-transporting ATPase 2, fumarylacetoacetase, argininosuccinate lyase, hereditary hemochromatosis protein, alstrom syndrome protein 1, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta, interleukin 6, ceramide synthase 2 or nuclear receptor coactivator 5 protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the CNS disease or conditions caused by deficiency in each protein. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. In some cases, AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 gene can be analyzed for intron-retention events. RNA sequencing (RNAseq), can be visualized in the UCSC genome browser, and can show AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 transcripts expressed in human liver cells and localized in either the cytoplasmic or nuclear fraction. In some embodiments, the retained-intron containing pre-mRNA transcripts are retained in the nucleus and are not exported out to the cytoplasm

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for this purpose are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

In embodiments, the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 intron numbering corresponds to the one or more mRNA sequences at shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA is in one or more introns as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of one or more retained introns as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 and subsequently increases AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the one or more mRNA sequence at shown in Table 10 or Table 11. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the one or more mRNA sequence at shown in Table 10 or Table 11.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a sequence of a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 genomic sequence comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA encoded by SEQ ID NOs: 61504-61534.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 61535-61633. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 61535-61633 comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASOs target SEQ ID NO: 139852-140004. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 61634-139851.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence upstream of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 4 to about 1000 nucleotides upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron sequence upstream of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 6 to about 500 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence downstream of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11 of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon sequence about 2 to about 1000 nucleotides downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron as shown in Table 10 or Table 11.

Protein Expression

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the subject has a condition described herein caused by a deficient amount of activity of a protein described herein. In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele from which the protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional protein, and an increase in the expression of the protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of a protein described herein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency in the amount or function of the protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a) a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the protein is produced in a form having reduced function         compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

b) a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the protein is produced in a form having reduced function         compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding a protein and         an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding a protein described herein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding the protein that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of a protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a whole gene deletion, in one allele.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding a protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding a protein described herein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for a gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information (operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894). Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding a protein described herein, resulting in increased expression of the protein. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with an ASO. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of a protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of a protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of a protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding a protein, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding a protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding a protein, or the mature mRNA encoding a protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of a protein in cells, for example, in a subject having a condition described herein caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of a protein described herein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding the protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding the protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein and increasing the expression of the protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA encoding a protein correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding a protein or the amount of a protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding the protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding a protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of the protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases, that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., an RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to +300, +6 to +200, or +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −6 to −200, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of an AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, APOA5, GALT, LDLRAP1, HNF4A, GCK, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, HNF1A, TRIB1, TGFB1, HAMP, THPO, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 or NCOA5 RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 29 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 28 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 19 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 17 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 16 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 14 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 13 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 12 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 11 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 10 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is an RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. Multiple tissues and organs can be affected in a condition described herein, with the liver being the most significantly affected tissue. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the heart or liver. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of an RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

Compositions and Methods for Treatment of Kidney Diseases

Kidney failure is a debilitating condition that is estimated to affect more than 600,000 in the United States alone. In many cases, renal dialysis is able to prolong life, with an estimated 400,000 patients receiving renal dialysis according to a 2009 study. Still, the only hope for many afflicted with kidney failure is a kidney transplant, though the donor pool is only sufficient to treat a small portion of those in need. Therefore, the odds of receiving a transplant is low, and there are few treatments available to ameliorate the condition for those unable to receive a transplant. Therefore, there exists a need for compositions and methods for treating kidney diseases.

Individual introns in primary transcripts of protein-coding genes having more than one intron are spliced from the primary transcript with different efficiencies. In most cases only the fully spliced mRNA is exported through nuclear pores for subsequent translation in the cytoplasm. Unspliced and partially spliced transcripts are detectable in the nucleus. It is generally thought that nuclear accumulation of transcripts that are not fully spliced is a mechanism to prevent the accumulation of potentially deleterious mRNAs in the cytoplasm that may be translated to protein. For some genes, splicing of the least efficient intron is a rate-limiting post-transcriptional step in gene expression, prior to translation in the cytoplasm.

Substantial levels of partially-spliced transcripts of the gene, which encodes a protein that is deficient in a subset of kidney diseases, have been discovered in the nucleus of human cells. These pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated protein levels. These compositions and methods utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at an intron splice site of a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, protein is increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by a protein deficiency.

Kidney diseases that can be treated by the invention described herein are diseases where a subject is deficient in a gene product, where deficiency in a gene product causes the kidney disease.

These CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 and PPARD pre-mRNA species comprise at least one retained intron. The present invention provides compositions and methods for upregulating splicing of one or more retained CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD introns that are rate-limiting for the nuclear stages of gene expression to increase steady-state production of fully-spliced, mature mRNA, and thus, translated CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein levels.

These compositions and methods can utilize antisense oligomers (ASOs) that promote constitutive splicing at intron splice sites of a retained-intron-containing CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that accumulates in the nucleus. Thus, in embodiments, CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein can be increased using the methods of the invention to treat a condition caused by CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD deficiency.

In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to increase CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD production to treat a condition in a subject in need thereof. In embodiments, the subject has a condition in which CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD is not necessarily deficient relative to wild-type, but where an increase in CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mitigates the condition nonetheless. In embodiments, the condition can be caused by a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD haploinsufficiency.

Nephropathic Cystinosis/Late-Onset Cystinosis

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive kidney disorder infantile nephropathic cystinosis. Infantile nephropathic cystinosis is characterized by the accumulation of cysteine in lysosomes. Clinical manifestations of infantile nephropathic cystinosis include low blood sugar and electrolytes, excessive excretion of proteins in the urine, slow body growth, weak bones, hypothyroidism, blindness, muscle weakness, pulmonary dysfunction and kidney failure. Typically infantile nephropathic cystinosis is diagnosed in infancy.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive kidney disorder late-onset cystinosis. Late onset cystinosis has a similar clinical manifestation as the infantile form, though the late onset form typically manifests in either late adolescence or early adulthood.

Deficiency in the protein cystinosin (CTNS) results in the clinical manifestations shown in both infantile nephropathic cystinosis and late-onset cystinosis. The CTNS gene, which is located at 17q13.2 and spans 12 exons, codes for the CTNS protein. Mutations in the CTNS gene resulting in deficient amounts of CTNS protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of both infantile nephropathic cystinosis and late-onset cystinosis. In one study, a G169D missense mutation was discovered in patients with infantile nephropathic cystinosis. This missense mutation resulted in diminished levels of CTNS, which provided a positive link between deficiency in CTNS and the progression of infantile nephropathic cystinosis. Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis 7/Papillorenal Syndrome

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant kidney disorder focal segmental glomerulosclerosis 7 (FSGS7). FSGS7 is one of the leading causes of kidney failure in adults. FSGS7 is characterized by edema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and hypertension, which ultimately results in kidney failure.

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal dominant kidney disorder Papillorenal syndrome (PAPRS). PAPRS is characterized by hypoplastic kidneys, hypodysplasia, multicystic dysplastic kidney, oligomeganephronia, renal insufficiency and vesicoureteral reflux.

Deficiency in the protein paired box gene 2 (PAX2) results in the clinical manifestations shown in both FSGS7 and PAPRS. The PAX2 gene, which is located at 10q24.31 and spans 12 exons, codes for the PAX2 protein. Mutations in the PAX2 gene resulting in deficient amounts of PAX2 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of both FSGS7 and PAPRS. In one study, a G76S missense mutation was discovered in 5 generations of a family afflicted with PAPRS. This missense mutation resulted in diminished levels of PAX2 protein, which provided a positive link between deficiency in PAX2 protein and the progression of PAPRS.

Infantile Hypercalcemia

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the autosomal recessive kidney disease infantile hypercalcemia. Infantile hypercalcemia is characterized by elevated calcium levels in the blood, which can result in renal stones, bone pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, polyuria and psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia and coma.

Deficiency in the protein cytochrome P450 family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP24A1) results in the clinical manifestations shown in infantile hypercalcemia. The CYP24A1 gene, which is located at 20q13.2 and spans 2 exons, codes for the CYP24A1 protein. Mutations in the CYP24A1 gene resulting in deficient amounts of CYP24A1 protein have been shown to be responsible for the progression of infantile hypercalcemia. In one study, a number of children diagnosed with infantile hypercalcemia were examined. Children displaying an R396W or an E322K missense mutation were shown to have complete ablation of CYP24A1 activity, which children displaying an L409S mutation retained small, but measurable levels. This finding provides a positive link between diminished CYP24A1 protein and the clinical manifestations of infantile hypercalcemia.

Lipid Metabolism Dysfunction and Chronic Kidney Disease

In some embodiments, the invention described herein can be used to treat the lipid metabolism deficiency, chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused by deficiency in the protein peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta (PPARD). Deficiency in the amount of PPARD protein, which is encoded by the PPARD gene located on chromosome 6 and spans 8 exons, has been shown to be correlated to increased lipid metabolism dysfunction.

Retained Intron Containing Pre-mRNA (RIC Pre-mRNA)

In embodiments, the methods of the present invention exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from a gene and encoding a protein that is found to be deficient in a disease described herein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of the identified RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, mRNA, is induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of a disease or condition described herein. In embodiments, the methods of the present invention can exploit the presence of retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) transcribed from the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD gene and encoding CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein, in the cell nucleus. Splicing of CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA species to produce mature, fully-spliced, CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA, can be induced using ASOs that stimulate splicing out of the retained introns. The resulting mature CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD mRNA can be exported to the cytoplasm and translated, thereby increasing the amount of CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD protein in the patient's cells and alleviating symptoms of the CNS disease or conditions caused by deficiency in CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD. This method, described further below, is known as Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO).

In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, or at least about 50%, retention. In embodiments, a retained intron is an intron that is identified as a retained intron based on a determination of about 5% to about 100%, about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 90%, about 5% to about 85%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 65%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 55%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 45%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 35%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 10% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 85%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 65%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 55%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 15% to about 100%, about 15% to about 95%, about 15% to about 90%, about 15% to about 85%, about 15% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 15% to about 70%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 65%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 55%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 45%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 35%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 100%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 85%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 65%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 55%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 45%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 35%, about 20% to about 30%, about 25% to about 100%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 85%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 65%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 55%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 45%, about 25% to about 40%, or about 25% to about 35%, retention. In embodiments, other ASOs useful for this purpose are identified, using, e.g., methods described herein.

In embodiments, the CTNS intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001031681 or NM_001031681. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9 and/or 10. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 10. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 18%. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CTNS RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 10%. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 9 and/or 10 and subsequently increases CTNS protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different CTNS isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001031681 or NM_001031681. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any CTNS isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001031681 or NM_001031681.

In embodiments, the PAX2 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_001304569, NM_000278, NM_003990, NM_003988, NM_003987 or NM_003989. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 1 or 2. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 1 or 2 and subsequently increases PAX2 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PAX2 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001304569, NM_000278, NM_003990, NM_003988, NM_003987 or NM_003989. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PAX2 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_001304569, NM_000278, NM_003990, NM_003988, NM_003987 or NM_003989.

In embodiments, the CYP24A1 intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_000782 or NM_001128915. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 9. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 11. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 23%. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 10. In embodiments, the percent retained intron can be 50%. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11 and subsequently increases CYP24A1 protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different CYP24A1 isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000782 or NM_001128915. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any CYP24A1 isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_000782 or NM_001128915.

In embodiments, the PPARD intron numbering corresponds to the mRNA sequence at NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 or NM_001171820. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 2. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 3. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 4. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 5. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 6. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 7. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the PPARD RIC pre-mRNA is in intron 8. In embodiments, hybridization of an ASO to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of a retained intron subsequently increases PPARD protein production. It is understood that the intron numbering may change in reference to a different PPARD isoform sequence. One of skill in the art can determine the corresponding intron number in any isoform based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 or NM_001171820. One of skill in the art also can determine the sequences of flanking exons in any PPARD isoform for targeting using the methods of the invention, based on an intron sequence provided herein or using the intron number provided in reference to the mRNA sequence at NM_006238, NM_177435, NM_001171818, NM_001171819 or NM_001171820.

In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASOs disclosed herein target a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA sequence.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a sequence of a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a CTNS genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a CTNS genomic sequence comprising retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA encoded by SEQ ID NO: 140007. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 140020 or 140021. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 140020 or 140021 comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, the ASOs target SEQ ID NO: 150752 and/or 150738. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a sequence of a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a PAX2 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a PAX2 genomic sequence comprising retained intron 1 or 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by SEQ ID NO: 140006. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of one or more of SEQ ID NO: 140014-140019. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of one or more of SEQ ID NO: 140014-140019 comprising a retained intron 1 or 2. In some embodiments, the ASOs target SEQ ID NO: 150744 and/or 150742. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 146957-148627.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a sequence of a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a CYP24A1 genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a CYP24A1 genomic sequence comprising retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by SEQ ID NO: 140008. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 18 or 19. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of SEQ ID NO: 140022 or 140023 comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In some embodiments, the ASOs target SEQ ID NOs: 150752, 150738, 150750, 150749 and/or 150745. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 149524-150737.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets a sequence of a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a PPARD genomic sequence. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by a PPARD genomic sequence comprising retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoded by SEQ ID NO: 140005. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of one or more of SEQ ID NO: 140009-140013. In some embodiments, the ASO targets a RIC pre-mRNA transcript of one or more of SEQ ID NO: 140009-140013 comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In some embodiments, the ASOs target SEQ ID NO 150740, 150751, 150743, 150747, 150746, 150741, 150739, and/or 150748. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 140024-146956.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 9 and/or 10 of a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 9 and/or 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 9 and/or 10 in a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 9 and/or 10 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 9 and/or 10 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 and/or 11 in a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 and/or 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CTNS RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 9 and/or 10.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 1 or 2 of a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 1 or 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 1 or 2 in a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 or 2 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 1 or 2 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 2 or 3 in a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 2 or 3 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PAX2 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 10 and/or 9 or 11 of a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 10 and/or 9 or 11 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 10 and/or 9 or 11 in a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 and/or 9 or 11 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 10 and/or 9 or 11 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 11 and/or 10 or 12 in a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 11 and/or 10 or 12 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a CYP24A1 RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 10 and/or 9 or 11.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 of a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 5′ splice site of a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 in a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 5′ splice site of a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets an intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 sequence upstream (or 5′) from the 3′ splice site of a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.

In some embodiments, the ASO targets exon 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 and/or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 in a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8. In some embodiments, the ASO targets an exon 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 and/or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 sequence downstream (or 3′) from the 3′ splice site of a PPARD RIC pre-mRNA comprising a retained intron 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 and/or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.

Protein Expression

In embodiments, the methods described herein are used to increase the production of a functional protein. As used herein, the term “functional” refers to the amount of activity or function of a protein that is necessary to eliminate any one or more symptoms of a treated condition. In embodiments, the methods are used to increase the production of a partially functional protein. As used herein, the term “partially functional” refers to any amount of activity or function of the protein that is less than the amount of activity or function that is necessary to eliminate or prevent any one or more symptoms of a disease or condition. In some embodiments, a partially functional protein or RNA will have at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, 85%, at least 90%, or at least 95% less activity relative to the fully functional protein or RNA.

In embodiments, the method is a method of increasing the expression of the protein by cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the subject has a condition described herein caused by a deficient amount of activity of a protein described herein. In some embodiments, the deficient amount of the protein is caused by haploinsufficiency of the protein. In such an embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele from which the protein is not produced. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a nonfunctional protein. In another such embodiment, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional protein. In any of these embodiments, the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele (encoding functional protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding functional protein, and an increase in the expression of the protein in the cells of the subject.

In embodiments, the subject has a first allele encoding a functional protein, and a second allele encoding a partially functional protein, and the antisense oligomer binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the first allele or a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the second allele (encoding partially functional protein), thereby inducing constitutive splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and causing an increase in the level of mature mRNA encoding the protein, and an increase in the expression of functional or partially functional protein in the cells of the subject.

In related embodiments, the method is a method of using an ASO to increase the expression of a protein or functional RNA. In embodiments, an ASO is used to increase the expression of a protein described herein in cells of a subject having a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the subject has a deficiency in the amount or function of the protein.

In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes the protein that is causative of the disease or condition is targeted by the ASOs described herein. In some embodiments, a RIC pre-mRNA transcript that encodes a protein that is not causative of the disease is targeted by the ASOs. For example, a disease that is the result of a mutation or deficiency of a first protein in a particular pathway may be ameliorated by targeting a RIC pre-mRNA that encodes a second protein, thereby increasing production of the second protein. In some embodiments, the function of the second protein is able to compensate for the mutation or deficiency of the first protein (which is causative of the disease or condition).

In embodiments, the subject has:

a. a first mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the protein is produced in a form having reduced function         compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the protein or functional RNA is not produced; and

b. a second mutant allele from which

-   -   i) the protein is produced at a reduced level compared to         production from a wild-type allele,     -   ii) the protein is produced in a form having reduced function         compared to an equivalent wild-type protein, or     -   iii) the protein is not produced, and         wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from the first allele         and/or the second allele. In these embodiments, the ASO binds to         a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from the         first allele or the second allele, thereby inducing constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, and         causing an increase in the level of mRNA encoding a protein and         an increase in the expression of the target protein or         functional RNA in the cells of the subject. In these         embodiments, the target protein or functional RNA having an         increase in expression level resulting from the constitutive         splicing of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA is either         in a form having reduced function compared to the equivalent         wild-type protein (partially-functional), or having full         function compared to the equivalent wild-type protein         (fully-functional).

In embodiments, the level of mRNA encoding a protein described herein is increased 1.1 to 10-fold, when compared to the amount of mRNA encoding the protein that is produced in a control cell, e.g., one that is not treated with the antisense oligomer or one that is treated with an antisense oligomer that does not bind to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of a protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of the retained intron to which the ASO is targeted. In embodiments, the condition caused by a deficient amount or activity of the protein is not a condition caused by alternative or aberrant splicing of any retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein. In embodiments, alternative or aberrant splicing may occur in a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene, however the compositions and methods of the invention do not prevent or correct this alternative or aberrant splicing.

In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a partially functional protein from one allele, wherein the partially functional protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, or a partial gene deletion. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention expresses a nonfunctional protein from one allele, wherein the nonfunctional protein is caused by a frameshift mutation, a nonsense mutation, a missense mutation, a partial gene deletion, in one allele. In embodiments, a subject treated using the methods of the invention has a whole gene deletion, in one allele.

Use of TANGO for Increasing Protein Expression

As described above, in embodiments, Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO) is used in the methods of the invention to increase expression of a protein. In these embodiments, a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) encoding a protein is present in the nucleus of a cell. Cells having a RIC pre-mRNA that comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site, and an exon flanking the 3′ splice site, encoding the protein, are contacted with antisense oligomers (ASOs) that are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA. Hybridization of the ASOs to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA results in enhanced splicing at the splice site (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) of the retained intron and subsequently increases target protein production.

The terms “pre-mRNA,” and “pre-mRNA transcript” may be used interchangeably and refer to any pre-mRNA species that contains at least one intron. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. In embodiments, pre-mRNA or pre-mRNA transcripts comprise both a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and a poly-A tail. In some embodiments, the pre-mRNA transcript does not comprise a 5′-7-methylguanosine cap and/or a poly-A tail. A pre-mRNA transcript is a non-productive messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule if it is not translated into a protein (or transported into the cytoplasm from the nucleus).

As used herein, a “retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA” (“RIC pre-mRNA”) is a pre-mRNA transcript that contains at least one retained intron. The RIC pre-mRNA contains a retained intron, an exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, an exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and encodes the target protein. An “RIC pre-mRNA encoding a target protein” is understood to encode the target protein when fully spliced. A “retained intron” is any intron that is present in a pre-mRNA transcript when one or more other introns, such as an adjacent intron, encoded by the same gene have been spliced out of the same pre-mRNA transcript. In some embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein. In embodiments, the retained intron is the most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, a mature mRNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced. The terms “mature mRNA,” and “fully-spliced mRNA,” are used interchangeably herein to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein (e.g., mRNA that is exported from the nucleus into the cytoplasm and translated into target protein) or a fully processed functional RNA. The term “productive mRNA,” also can be used to describe a fully processed mRNA encoding a target protein. In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein.

As used herein, the term “comprise” or variations thereof such as “comprises” or “comprising” are to be read to indicate the inclusion of any recited feature (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, a defined nucleobase sequence) but not the exclusion of any other features. Thus, as used herein, the term “comprising” is inclusive and does not exclude additional, unrecited features (e.g. in the case of an antisense oligomer, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases).

In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” The phrase “consisting essentially of” is used herein to require the specified feature(s) (e.g. nucleobase sequence) as well as those which do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is used to indicate the presence of the recited feature (e.g. nucleobase sequence) alone (so that in the case of an antisense oligomer consisting of a specified nucleobase sequence, the presence of additional, unrecited nucleobases is excluded).

In embodiments, the targeted region is in a retained intron that is the second most abundant intron in a RIC pre-mRNA encoding a protein described herein. For example, the second most abundant retained intron may be targeted rather than the most abundant retained intron due to the uniqueness of the nucleotide sequence of the second most abundant retained intron, ease of ASO design to target a particular nucleotide sequence, and/or amount of increase in protein production resulting from targeting the intron with an ASO. In embodiments, the retained intron is the second most abundant intron in a population of RIC pre-mRNAs transcribed from the gene encoding the target protein in a cell, wherein the population of RIC pre-mRNAs comprises two or more retained introns. In embodiments, an antisense oligomer targeted to the second most abundant intron in the population of RIC pre-mRNAs encoding the target protein induces splicing out of two or more retained introns in the population, including the retained intron to which the antisense oligomer is targeted or binds. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, an ASO is complementary to a targeted region that is within a non-retained intron in a RIC pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within: the region +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron; or the region −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the non-retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the non-retained intron. As used to identify the location of a region or sequence, “within” is understood to include the residues at the positions recited. For example, a region +6 to +100 includes the residues at positions +6 and +100. In embodiments, fully-spliced (mature) RNA encoding the target protein is thereby produced.

In embodiments, the retained intron of the RIC pre-mRNA is an inefficiently spliced intron. As used herein, “inefficiently spliced” may refer to a relatively low frequency of splicing at a splice site adjacent to the retained intron (5′ splice site or 3′ splice site) as compared to the frequency of splicing at another splice site in the RIC pre-mRNA. The term “inefficiently spliced” may also refer to the relative rate or kinetics of splicing at a splice site, in which an “inefficiently spliced” intron may be spliced or removed at a slower rate as compared to another intron in a RIC pre-mRNA.

In embodiments, the 9-nucleotide sequence at −3e to −1e of the exon flanking the 5′ splice site and +1 to +6 of the retained intron is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. In embodiments, the 16 nucleotide sequence at −15 to −1 of the retained intron and +1e of the exon flanking the 3′ splice site is identical to the corresponding wild-type sequence. As used herein, the “wild-type sequence” refers to the nucleotide sequence for a gene in the published reference genome deposited in the NCBI repository of biological and scientific information (operated by National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Md. USA 20894). Also used herein, a nucleotide position denoted with an “e” indicates the nucleotide is present in the sequence of an exon (e.g., the exon flanking the 5′ splice site or the exon flanking the 3′ splice site).

The methods involve contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a portion of a pre-mRNA encoding a protein described herein, resulting in increased expression of the protein. As used herein, “contacting” or administering to cells refers to any method of providing an ASO in immediate proximity with the cells such that the ASO and the cells interact. A cell that is contacted with an ASO will take up or transport the ASO into the cell. The method involves contacting a condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell with an ASO. In some embodiments, the ASO may be further modified or attached (e.g., covalently attached) to another molecule to target the ASO to a cell type, enhance contact between the ASO and the condition or disease-associated or condition or disease-relevant cell, or enhance uptake of the ASO.

As used herein, the term “increasing protein production” or “increasing expression of a target protein” means enhancing the amount of protein that is translated from an mRNA in a cell. A “target protein” may be any protein for which increased expression/production is desired.

In embodiments, contacting a cell that expresses a RIC pre-mRNA with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in a measurable increase in the amount of a protein (e.g., a target protein) encoded by the pre-mRNA. Methods of measuring or detecting production of a protein will be evident to one of skill in the art and include any known method, for example, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA.

In embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of a protein produced by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of a protein produced by the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold, compared to the amount of target protein produced by an control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, contacting cells with an ASO that is complementary to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA transcript results in an increase in the amount of mRNA encoding a protein, including the mature mRNA encoding the target protein. In some embodiments, the amount of mRNA encoding a protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein, is increased by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 1000%, compared to the amount of the protein produced by a cell in the absence of the ASO/absence of treatment. In embodiments, the total amount of the mRNA encoding a protein, or the mature mRNA encoding a protein produced in the cell to which the antisense oligomer was contacted is increased about 1.1 to about 10-fold, about 1.5 to about 10-fold, about 2 to about 10-fold, about 3 to about 10-fold, about 4 to about 10-fold, about 1.1 to about 5-fold, about 1.1 to about 6-fold, about 1.1 to about 7-fold, about 1.1 to about 8-fold, about 1.1 to about 9-fold, about 2 to about 5-fold, about 2 to about 6-fold, about 2 to about 7-fold, about 2 to about 8-fold, about 2 to about 9-fold, about 3 to about 6-fold, about 3 to about 7-fold, about 3 to about 8-fold, about 3 to about 9-fold, about 4 to about 7-fold, about 4 to about 8-fold, about 4 to about 9-fold, at least about 1.1-fold, at least about 1.5-fold, at least about 2-fold, at least about 2.5-fold, at least about 3-fold, at least about 3.5-fold, at least about 4-fold, at least about 5-fold, or at least about 10-fold compared to the amount of mature RNA produced in an untreated cell, e.g., an untreated cell or a cell treated with a control compound. A control compound can be, for example, an oligonucleotide that is not complementary to the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.

Constitutive Splicing of a Retained Intron from a RIC Pre-mRNA

The methods and antisense oligonucleotide compositions provided herein are useful for increasing the expression of a protein in cells, for example, in a subject having a condition described herein caused by a deficiency in the amount or activity of a protein described herein, by increasing the level of mRNA encoding the protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein. In particular, the methods and compositions as described herein induce the constitutive splicing of a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA transcript encoding the protein, thereby increasing the level of mRNA encoding the protein, or the mature mRNA encoding the protein and increasing the expression of the protein.

Constitutive splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA correctly removes the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the retained intron has wild-type splice sequences. Constitutive splicing, as used herein, does not encompass splicing of a retained intron from a RIC pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene or allele having a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene or allele. For example, constitutive splicing of a retained intron, as induced using the methods and antisense oligonucleotides provided herein, does not correct aberrant splicing in or influence alternative splicing of a pre-mRNA to result in an increased expression of a target protein or functional RNA.

In embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a wild-type gene or allele, or a polymorphic gene or allele, that encodes a fully-functional target protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, constitutive splicing of a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA encoding a protein correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA encoding the protein, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele from which the target gene or functional RNA is produced at a reduced level compared to production from a wild-type allele, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of target protein or functional RNA that is functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

In other embodiments, constitutive splicing correctly removes a retained intron from an RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA is transcribed from a gene or allele that encodes a target protein or functional RNA produced in a form having reduced function compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA, and wherein the gene or allele does not have a mutation that causes alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of the retained intron. In these embodiments, the correct removal of the constitutively spliced retained intron results in production of partially functional target protein, or functional RNA that is partially functional when compared to an equivalent wild-type protein or functional RNA.

“Correct removal” of the retained intron by constitutive splicing refers to removal of the entire intron, without removal of any part of an exon.

In embodiments, an antisense oligomer as described herein or used in any method described herein does not increase the amount of mRNA encoding a protein or the amount of a protein by modulating alternative splicing or aberrant splicing of a pre-mRNA transcribed from the gene. Modulation of alternative splicing or aberrant splicing can be measured using any known method for analyzing the sequence and length of RNA species, e.g., by RT-PCR and using methods described elsewhere herein and in the literature. In embodiments, modulation of alternative or aberrant splicing is determined based on an increase or decrease in the amount of the spliced species of interest of at least 10% or 1.1-fold. In embodiments, modulation is determined based on an increase or decrease at a level that is at least 10% to 100% or 1.1 to 10-fold, as described herein regarding determining an increase in mRNA encoding the protein in the methods of the invention.

In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a wild-type pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the method is a method wherein the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length wild-type pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the RIC pre-mRNA was produced by partial splicing of a full-length pre-mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length pre-mRNA may have a polymorphism in a splice site of the retained intron that does not impair correct splicing of the retained intron as compared to splicing of the retained intron having the wild-type splice site sequence.

In embodiments, the mRNA encoding a protein is a full-length mature mRNA, or a wild-type mature mRNA. In these embodiments, a full-length mature mRNA may have a polymorphism that does not affect the activity of the target protein or the functional RNA encoded by the mature mRNA, as compared to the activity of the protein encoded by the wild-type mature mRNA.

Antisense Oligomers

One aspect of the present disclosure is a composition comprising antisense oligomers that enhances splicing by binding to a targeted portion of an RIC pre-mRNA. As used herein, the terms “ASO” and “antisense oligomer” are used interchangeably and refer to an oligomer such as a polynucleotide, comprising nucleobases, that hybridizes to a target nucleic acid (e.g., an RIC pre-mRNA) sequence by Watson-Crick base pairing or wobble base pairing (G-U). The ASO may have exact sequence complementary to the target sequence or near complementarity (e.g., sufficient complementarity to bind the target sequence and enhancing splicing at a splice site). ASOs are designed so that they bind (hybridize) to a target nucleic acid (e.g., a targeted portion of a pre-mRNA transcript) and remain hybridized under physiological conditions. Typically, if they hybridize to a site other than the intended (targeted) nucleic acid sequence, they hybridize to a limited number of sequences that are not a target nucleic acid (to a few sites other than a target nucleic acid). Design of an ASO can take into consideration the occurrence of the nucleic acid sequence of the targeted portion of the pre-mRNA transcript or a sufficiently similar nucleic acid sequence in other locations in the genome or cellular pre-mRNA or transcriptome, such that the likelihood the ASO will bind other sites and cause “off-target” effects is limited. Any antisense oligomers known in the art, for example in PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/054151, published as WO 2015/035091, titled “Reducing Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay,” can be used to practice the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, ASOs “specifically hybridize” to or are “specific” to a target nucleic acid or a targeted portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. Typically such hybridization occurs with a Tm substantially greater than 37° C., preferably at least 50° C., and typically between 60° C. to approximately 90° C. Such hybridization preferably corresponds to stringent hybridization conditions. At a given ionic strength and pH, the Tm is the temperature at which 50% of a target sequence hybridizes to a complementary oligonucleotide.

Oligomers, such as oligonucleotides, are “complementary” to one another when hybridization occurs in an antiparallel configuration between two single-stranded polynucleotides. A double-stranded polynucleotide can be “complementary” to another polynucleotide, if hybridization can occur between one of the strands of the first polynucleotide and the second. Complementarity (the degree to which one polynucleotide is complementary with another) is quantifiable in terms of the proportion (e.g., the percentage) of bases in opposing strands that are expected to form hydrogen bonds with each other, according to generally accepted base-pairing rules. The sequence of an antisense oligomer (ASO) need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to hybridize. In certain embodiments, ASOs can comprise at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% sequence complementarity to a target region within the target nucleic acid sequence to which they are targeted. For example, an ASO in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the oligomeric compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered together or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. Percent complementarity of an ASO with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403-410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649-656).

An ASO need not hybridize to all nucleobases in a target sequence and the nucleobases to which it does hybridize may be contiguous or noncontiguous. ASOs may hybridize over one or more segments of a pre-mRNA transcript, such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure or hairpin structure may be formed). In certain embodiments, an ASO hybridizes to noncontiguous nucleobases in a target pre-mRNA transcript. For example, an ASO can hybridize to nucleobases in a pre-mRNA transcript that are separated by one or more nucleobase(s) to which the ASO does not hybridize.

The ASOs described herein comprise nucleobases that are complementary to nucleobases present in a target portion of a RIC pre-mRNA. The term ASO embodies oligonucleotides and any other oligomeric molecule that comprises nucleobases capable of hybridizing to a complementary nucleobase on a target mRNA but does not comprise a sugar moiety, such as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). The ASOs may comprise naturally-occurring nucleotides, nucleotide analogs, modified nucleotides, or any combination of two or three of the preceding. The term “naturally occurring nucleotides” includes deoxyribonucleotides and ribonucleotides. The term “modified nucleotides” includes nucleotides with modified or substituted sugar groups and/or having a modified backbone. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of the ASO are modified nucleotides. Chemical modifications of ASOs or components of ASOs that are compatible with the methods and compositions described herein will be evident to one of skill in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,258,109 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,612, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0190728, and Dias and Stein, Mol. Cancer Ther. 2002, 1, 347-355, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The nucleobase of an ASO may be any naturally occurring, unmodified nucleobase such as adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine and uracil, or any synthetic or modified nucleobase that is sufficiently similar to an unmodified nucleobase such that it is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleobase present on a target pre-mRNA. Examples of modified nucleobases include, without limitation, hypoxanthine, xanthine, 7-methylguanine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-methylcytosine, and 5-hydroxymethoylcytosine.

The ASOs described herein also comprise a backbone structure that connects the components of an oligomer. The term “backbone structure” and “oligomer linkages” may be used interchangeably and refer to the connection between monomers of the ASO. In naturally occurring oligonucleotides, the backbone comprises a 3′-5′ phosphodiester linkage connecting sugar moieties of the oligomer. The backbone structure or oligomer linkages of the ASOs described herein may include (but are not limited to) phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphoroselenoate, phosphorodiselenoate, phosphoroanilothioate, phosphoraniladate, phosphoramidate, and the like. See e.g., LaPlanche et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 14:9081 (1986); Stec et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106:6077 (1984), Stein et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:3209 (1988), Zon et al., Anti Cancer Drug Design 6:539 (1991); Zon et al., Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, pp. 87-108 (F. Eckstein, Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford England (1991)); Stec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,510; Uhlmann and Peyman, Chemical Reviews 90:543 (1990). In some embodiments, the backbone structure of the ASO does not contain phosphorous but rather contains peptide bonds, for example in a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or linking groups including carbamate, amides, and linear and cyclic hydrocarbon groups. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the backbone modification is a phosphoramidate linkage.

In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is random. In embodiments, the stereochemistry at each of the phosphorus internucleotide linkages of the ASO backbone is controlled and is not random. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0194610, “Methods for the Synthesis of Functionalized Nucleic Acids,” incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for independently selecting the handedness of chirality at each phosphorous atom in a nucleic acid oligomer. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO having phosphorus internucleotide linkages that are not random. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises a pure diastereomeric ASO. In embodiments, a composition used in the methods of the invention comprises an ASO that has diastereomeric purity of at least about 90%, at least about 91%, at least about 92%, at least about 93%, at least about 94%, at least about 95%, at least about 96%, at least about 97%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, about 100%, about 90% to about 100%, about 91% to about 100%, about 92% to about 100%, about 93% to about 100%, about 94% to about 100%, about 95% to about 100%, about 96% to about 100%, about 97% to about 100%, about 98% to about 100%, or about 99% to about 100%.

In embodiments, the ASO has a nonrandom mixture of Rp and Sp configurations at its phosphorus internucleotide linkages. For example, it has been suggested that a mix of Rp and Sp is required in antisense oligonucleotides to achieve a balance between good activity and nuclease stability (Wan, et al., 2014, “Synthesis, biophysical properties and biological activity of second generation antisense oligonucleotides containing chiral phosphorothioate linkages,” Nucleic Acids Research 42(22): 13456-13468, incorporated herein by reference). In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Rp, at least about 5% Rp, at least about 10% Rp, at least about 15% Rp, at least about 20% Rp, at least about 25% Rp, at least about 30% Rp, at least about 35% Rp, at least about 40% Rp, at least about 45% Rp, at least about 50% Rp, at least about 55% Rp, at least about 60% Rp, at least about 65% Rp, at least about 70% Rp, at least about 75% Rp, at least about 80% Rp, at least about 85% Rp, at least about 90% Rp, or at least about 95% Rp, with the remainder Sp, or about 100% Rp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Rp, about 15% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 100% Rp, about 25% to about 100% Rp, about 30% to about 100% Rp, about 35% to about 100% Rp, about 40% to about 100% Rp, about 45% to about 100% Rp, about 50% to about 100% Rp, about 55% to about 100% Rp, about 60% to about 100% Rp, about 65% to about 100% Rp, about 70% to about 100% Rp, about 75% to about 100% Rp, about 80% to about 100% Rp, about 85% to about 100% Rp, about 90% to about 100% Rp, or about 95% to about 100% Rp, about 20% to about 80% Rp, about 25% to about 75% Rp, about 30% to about 70% Rp, about 40% to about 60% Rp, or about 45% to about 55% Rp, with the remainder Sp.

In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 5-100% Sp, at least about 5% Sp, at least about 10% Sp, at least about 15% Sp, at least about 20% Sp, at least about 25% Sp, at least about 30% Sp, at least about 35% Sp, at least about 40% Sp, at least about 45% Sp, at least about 50% Sp, at least about 55% Sp, at least about 60% Sp, at least about 65% Sp, at least about 70% Sp, at least about 75% Sp, at least about 80% Sp, at least about 85% Sp, at least about 90% Sp, or at least about 95% Sp, with the remainder Rp, or about 100% Sp. In embodiments, an ASO used in the methods of the invention comprises about 10% to about 100% Sp, about 15% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 100% Sp, about 25% to about 100% Sp, about 30% to about 100% Sp, about 35% to about 100% Sp, about 40% to about 100% Sp, about 45% to about 100% Sp, about 50% to about 100% Sp, about 55% to about 100% Sp, about 60% to about 100% Sp, about 65% to about 100% Sp, about 70% to about 100% Sp, about 75% to about 100% Sp, about 80% to about 100% Sp, about 85% to about 100% Sp, about 90% to about 100% Sp, or about 95% to about 100% Sp, about 20% to about 80% Sp, about 25% to about 75% Sp, about 30% to about 70% Sp, about 40% to about 60% Sp, or about 45% to about 55% Sp, with the remainder Rp.

Any of the ASOs described herein may contain a sugar moiety that comprises ribose or deoxyribose, as present in naturally occurring nucleotides, or a modified sugar moiety or sugar analog, including a morpholine ring. Non-limiting examples of modified sugar moieties include 2′ substitutions such as 2′-O-methyl (2′-O-Me), 2′-O-methoxyethyl (2′MOE), 2′-O-aminoethyl, 2′F; N3′->P5′ phosphoramidate, 2′dimethylaminooxyethoxy, 2′dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy, 2′-guanidinidium, 2′-O-guanidinium ethyl, carbamate modified sugars, and bicyclic modified sugars. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is selected from 2′-O-Me, 2′F, and 2′MOE. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety modification is an extra bridge bond, such as in a locked nucleic acid (LNA). In some embodiments the sugar analog contains a morpholine ring, such as phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises a ribofuransyl or 2′deoxyribofuransyl modification. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises 2′4′-constrained 2′O-methyloxyethyl (cMOE) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises cEt 2′, 4′ constrained 2′-O ethyl BNA modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises tricycloDNA (tcDNA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises ethylene nucleic acid (ENA) modifications. In some embodiments, the sugar moiety comprises MCE modifications. Modifications are known in the art and described in the literature, e.g., by Jarver, et al., 2014, “A Chemical View of Oligonucleotides for Exon Skipping and Related Drug Applications,” Nucleic Acid Therapeutics 24(1): 37-47, incorporated by reference for this purpose herein.

In some examples, each monomer of the ASO is modified in the same way, for example each linkage of the backbone of the ASO comprises a phosphorothioate linkage or each ribose sugar moiety comprises a 2′O-methyl modification. Such modifications that are present on each of the monomer components of an ASO are referred to as “uniform modifications.” In some examples, a combination of different modifications may be desired, for example, an ASO may comprise a combination of phosphorodiamidate linkages and sugar moieties comprising morpholine rings (morpholinos). Combinations of different modifications to an ASO are referred to as “mixed modifications” or “mixed chemistries.”

In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises one or more backbone modification and one or more sugar moiety modification. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises 2′MOE modifications and a phosphorothioate backbone. In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino (PMO). In some embodiments, the ASO comprises a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). Any of the ASOs or any component of an ASO (e.g., a nucleobase, sugar moiety, backbone) described herein may be modified in order to achieve desired properties or activities of the ASO or reduce undesired properties or activities of the ASO. For example, an ASO or one or more component of any ASO may be modified to enhance binding affinity to a target sequence on a pre-mRNA transcript; reduce binding to any non-target sequence; reduce degradation by cellular nucleases (i.e., RNase H); improve uptake of the ASO into a cell and/or into the nucleus of a cell; alter the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of the ASO; and modulate the half-life of the ASO.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are comprised of 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) (MOE) phosphorothioate-modified nucleotides. ASOs comprised of such nucleotides are especially well-suited to the methods disclosed herein; oligomers having such modifications have been shown to have significantly enhanced resistance to nuclease degradation and increased bioavailability, making them suitable, for example, for oral delivery in some embodiments described herein. See e.g., Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):890-7; Geary et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2001; 296(3):898-904.

Methods of synthesizing ASOs will be known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively or in addition, ASOs may be obtained from a commercial source.

Unless specified otherwise, the left-hand end of single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., pre-mRNA transcript, oligonucleotide, ASO, etc.) sequences is the 5′ end and the left-hand direction of single or double-stranded nucleic acid sequences is referred to as the 5′ direction. Similarly, the right-hand end or direction of a nucleic acid sequence (single or double stranded) is the 3′ end or direction. Generally, a region or sequence that is 5′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “upstream,” and a region or sequence that is 3′ to a reference point in a nucleic acid is referred to as “downstream.” Generally, the 5′ direction or end of an mRNA is where the initiation or start codon is located, while the 3′ end or direction is where the termination codon is located. In some aspects, nucleotides that are upstream of a reference point in a nucleic acid may be designated by a negative number, while nucleotides that are downstream of a reference point may be designated by a positive number. For example, a reference point (e.g., an exon-exon junction in mRNA) may be designated as the “zero” site, and a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and upstream of the reference point is designated “minus one,” e.g., “−1,” while a nucleotide that is directly adjacent and downstream of the reference point is designated “plus one,” e.g., “+1.”

In other embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to (and bind to) a targeted portion of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is downstream (in the 3′ direction) of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron in a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., the direction designated by positive numbers relative to the 5′ splice site) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region 1 to +4000, 1 to +3500, 1 to +3000, 1 to +2500, 1 to +2000, 1 to +1500, 1 to +1000, 1 to +500, +2 to +4000, +2 to +3500, +2 to +3000, +2 to +2500, +2 to +2000, +2 to +1500, +2 to +1000, +2 to +500, +2 to +400, +2 to +300, +2 to +200, +6 to +4000, +6 to +3500, +6 to +3000, +6 to +2500, +6 to +2000, +6 to +1500, +6 to +1000, +6 to +500, +6 to +400, +6 to +300, +6 to +200, or +6 to +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides +1 to +5 relative to the 5′ splice site (the first five nucleotides located downstream of the 5′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs may be complementary to a targeted portion of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region between nucleotides +6 and +50 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +6 to +90, +6 to +80, +6 to +70, +6 to +60, +6 to +50, +6 to +40, +6 to +30, or +6 to +20 relative to 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted region of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is upstream (5′ relative) of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron in an RIC pre-mRNA (e.g., in the direction designated by negative numbers) (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −4000, −16 to −3000, −16 to −2000, −16 to −1000, −16 to −500, −16 to −400, −16 to −300, −6 to −200, or −16 to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASO is not complementary to nucleotides −1 to −15 relative to the 3′ splice site (the first 15 nucleotides located upstream of the 3′ splice site). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −50 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some aspects, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −16 to −90, −16 to −80, −16 to −70, −16 to −60, −16 to −50, −16 to −40, or −16 to −30 relative to 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In embodiments, the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is within the region +100 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron to −100 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 5′ splice site (upstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotides −1e to −3e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region −4e to −100e, −4e to −90e, −4e to −80e, −4e to −70e, −4e to −60e, −4e to −50e, −4 to −40e, −4e to −30e, or −4e to −20e relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron.

In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of a CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the exon flanking the 3′ splice site (downstream) of the retained intron (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion to the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are not complementary to nucleotide +1e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. In some embodiments, the ASOs are complementary to a targeted portion of the CTNS, PAX2, CYP24A1 or PPARD RIC pre-mRNA that is within the region +2e to +100e, +2e to +90e, +2e to +80e, +2e to +70e, +2e to +60e, +2e to +50e, +2e to +40e, +2e to +30e, or +2 to +20e relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron. The ASOs may be of any length suitable for specific binding and effective enhancement of splicing. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of 8 to 50 nucleobases. For example, the ASO may be 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 40, 45, or 50 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs consist of more than 50 nucleobases. In some embodiments, the ASO is from 8 to 50 nucleobases, 8 to 40 nucleobases, 8 to 35 nucleobases, 8 to 30 nucleobases, 8 to 25 nucleobases, 8 to 20 nucleobases, 8 to 15 nucleobases, 9 to 50 nucleobases, 9 to 40 nucleobases, 9 to 35 nucleobases, 9 to 30 nucleobases, 9 to 25 nucleobases, 9 to 20 nucleobases, 9 to 15 nucleobases, 10 to 50 nucleobases, 10 to 40 nucleobases, 10 to 35 nucleobases, 10 to 30 nucleobases, 10 to 25 nucleobases, 10 to 20 nucleobases, 10 to 15 nucleobases, 11 to 50 nucleobases, 11 to 40 nucleobases, 11 to 35 nucleobases, 11 to 30 nucleobases, 11 to 25 nucleobases, 11 to 20 nucleobases, 11 to 15 nucleobases, 12 to 50 nucleobases, 12 to 40 nucleobases, 12 to 35 nucleobases, 12 to 30 nucleobases, 12 to 25 nucleobases, 12 to 20 nucleobases, 12 to 15 nucleobases, 13 to 50 nucleobases, 13 to 40 nucleobases, 13 to 35 nucleobases, 13 to 30 nucleobases, 13 to 25 nucleobases, 13 to 20 nucleobases, 14 to 50 nucleobases, 14 to 40 nucleobases, 14 to 35 nucleobases, 14 to 30 nucleobases, 14 to 25 nucleobases, 14 to 20 nucleobases, 15 to 50 nucleobases, 15 to 40 nucleobases, 15 to 35 nucleobases, 15 to 30 nucleobases, 15 to 25 nucleobases, 15 to 20 nucleobases, 20 to 50 nucleobases, 20 to 40 nucleobases, 20 to 35 nucleobases, 20 to 30 nucleobases, 20 to 25 nucleobases, 25 to 50 nucleobases, 25 to 40 nucleobases, 25 to 35 nucleobases, or 25 to 30 nucleobases in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 29 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 28 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 26 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 24 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 20 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 19 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 18 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 17 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 16 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 14 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 13 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 12 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 11 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the ASOs are 10 nucleotides in length.

In some embodiments, two or more ASOs with different chemistries but complementary to the same targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA are used. In some embodiments, two or more ASOs that are complementary to different targeted portions of the RIC pre-mRNA are used.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid to be targeted by an ASO is an RIC pre-mRNA expressed in a cell, such as a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the term “cell” may refer to a population of cells. In some embodiments, the cell is in a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is isolated from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is ex vivo. In some embodiments, the cell is a condition or disease-relevant cell or a cell line. In some embodiments, the cell is in vitro (e.g., in cell culture).

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising the antisense oligonucleotide of the described compositions and for use in any of the described methods can be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry and described in the published literature. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition or formulation for treating a subject comprises an effective amount of any antisense oligomer as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or ester thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The antisense oligomer of a pharmaceutical formulation may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, diluent or carrier.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans and lower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, etc., and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. (See, e.g., S. M. Berge, et al., J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 66: 1-19 (1977), incorporated herein by reference for this purpose. The salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of the compounds, or separately by reacting the free base function with a suitable organic acid. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts of an amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid or with organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by using other documented methodologies such as ion exchange. Other pharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate, aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate, glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate, lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate, tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts, and the like. Representative alkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, lower alkyl sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.

In embodiments, the compositions are formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. In embodiments, the compositions are formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances that increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers. In embodiments, a pharmaceutical formulation or composition of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, a solution, emulsion, microemulsion, foam or liposome-containing formulation (e.g., cationic or noncationic liposomes).

The pharmaceutical composition or formulation of the present invention may comprise one or more penetration enhancer, carrier, excipients or other active or inactive ingredients as appropriate and well known to those of skill in the art or described in the published literature. In embodiments, liposomes also include sterically stabilized liposomes, e.g., liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids. These specialized lipids result in liposomes with enhanced circulation lifetimes. In embodiments, a sterically stabilized liposome comprises one or more glycolipids or is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. In embodiments, a surfactant is included in the pharmaceutical formulation or compositions. The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and emulsions is well known in the art. In embodiments, the present invention employs a penetration enhancer to effect the efficient delivery of the antisense oligonucleotide, e.g., to aid diffusion across cell membranes and/or enhance the permeability of a lipophilic drug. In embodiments, the penetration enhancers is a surfactant, fatty acid, bile salt, chelating agent, or non-chelating nonsurfactant.

In embodiments, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises multiple antisense oligonucleotides. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in combination with another drug or therapeutic agent. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is administered with one or more agents capable of promoting penetration of the subject antisense oligonucleotide across the blood-brain barrier by any method known in the art. For example, delivery of agents by administration of an adenovirus vector to motor neurons in muscle tissue is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,427, “Adenoviral-vector-mediated gene transfer into medullary motor neurons,” incorporated herein by reference. Delivery of vectors directly to the brain, e.g., the striatum, the thalamus, the hippocampus, or the substantia nigra, is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,756,523, “Adenovirus vectors for the transfer of foreign genes into cells of the central nervous system particularly in brain,” incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides are linked or conjugated with agents that provide desirable pharmaceutical or pharmacodynamic properties. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is coupled to a substance, known in the art to promote penetration or transport across the blood-brain barrier, e.g., an antibody to the transferrin receptor. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is linked with a viral vector, e.g., to render the antisense compound more effective or increase transport across the blood-brain barrier. In embodiments, osmotic blood brain barrier disruption is assisted by infusion of sugars, e.g., meso erythritol, xylitol, D(+) galactose, D(+) lactose, D(+) xylose, dulcitol, myo-inositol, L(−) fructose, D(−) mannitol, D(+) glucose, D(+) arabinose, D(−) arabinose, cellobiose, D(+) maltose, D(+) raffinose, L(+) rhamnose, D(+) melibiose, D(−) ribose, adonitol, D(+) arabitol, L(−) arabitol, D(+) fucose, L(−) fucose, D(−) lyxose, L(+) lyxose, and L(−) lyxose, or amino acids, e.g., glutamine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine, and taurine. Methods and materials for enhancing blood brain barrier penetration are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,042, “Method for the delivery of genetic material across the blood brain barrier,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,520, “Material for passage through the blood-brain barrier,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,589, “Parenteral delivery systems,” each incorporated herein by reference.

In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotides of the invention are chemically linked to one or more moieties or conjugates, e.g., a targeting moiety or other conjugate that enhances the activity or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include, but are not limited to, a lipid moiety, e.g., as a cholesterol moiety, a cholesteryl moiety, an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues, a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain, or adamantane acetic acid. Oligonucleotides comprising lipophilic moieties, and preparation methods have been described in the published literature. In embodiments, the antisense oligonucleotide is conjugated with a moiety including, but not limited to, an abasic nucleotide, a polyether, a polyamine, a polyamide, a peptides, a carbohydrate, e.g., N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), N—Ac-Glucosamine (GluNAc), or mannose (e.g., mannose-6-phosphate), a lipid, or a polyhydrocarbon compound. Conjugates can be linked to one or more of any nucleotides comprising the antisense oligonucleotide at any of several positions on the sugar, base or phosphate group, as understood in the art and described in the literature, e.g., using a linker. Linkers can include a bivalent or trivalent branched linker. In embodiments, the conjugate is attached to the 3′ end of the antisense oligonucleotide. Methods of preparing oligonucleotide conjugates are described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 8,450,467, “Carbohydrate conjugates as delivery agents for oligonucleotides,” incorporated by reference herein.

Treatment of Subjects

Any of the compositions provided herein may be administered to an individual. “Individual” may be used interchangeably with “subject” or “patient.” An individual may be a mammal, for example a human or animal such as a non-human primate, a rodent, a rabbit, a rat, a mouse, a horse, a donkey, a goat, a cat, a dog, a cow, a pig, or a sheep. In embodiments, the individual is a human. In embodiments, the individual is a fetus, an embryo, or a child. In other embodiments, the individual may be another eukaryotic organism, such as a plant. In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to a cell ex vivo.

In some embodiments, the compositions provided herein are administered to an individual as a method of treating a disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the individual has a genetic disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at risk of having the disease, such as any of the diseases described herein. In some embodiments, the individual is at increased risk of having a disease or disorder caused by insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein. If an individual is “at an increased risk” of having a disease or disorder caused insufficient amount of a protein or insufficient activity of a protein, the method involves preventative or prophylactic treatment. For example, an individual may be at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder because of family history of the disease. Typically, individuals at an increased risk of having such a disease or disorder benefit from prophylactic treatment (e.g., by preventing or delaying the onset or progression of the disease or disorder).

Suitable routes for administration of ASOs of the present invention may vary depending on cell type to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. Multiple tissues and organs can be affected in a condition described herein, with the kidney being the most significantly affected tissue. The ASOs of the present invention may be administered to patients parenterally, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. In embodiments, delivery is to the kidney. In embodiments, a fetus is treated in utero, e.g., by administering the ASO composition to the fetus directly or indirectly (e.g., via the mother).

Methods of Identifying Additional ASOs that Enhance Splicing

Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for identifying (determining) additional ASOs that enhance splicing of an RIC pre-mRNA, specifically at the target intron. ASOs that specifically hybridize to different nucleotides within the target region of the pre-mRNA may be screened to identify (determine) ASOs that improve the rate and/or extent of splicing of the target intron. In some embodiments, the ASO may block or interfere with the binding site(s) of a splicing repressor(s)/silencer. Any method known in the art may be used to identify (determine) an ASO that when hybridized to the target region of the intron results in the desired effect (e.g., enhanced splicing, protein or functional RNA production). These methods also can be used for identifying ASOs that enhance splicing of the retained intron by binding to a targeted region in an exon flanking the retained intron, or in a non-retained intron. An example of a method that may be used is provided below.

A round of screening, referred to as an ASO “walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. For example, the ASOs used in the ASO walk can be tiled every 5 nucleotides from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 5′ splice site of the retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located upstream of the target/retained intron) to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron and/or from approximately 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site of the retained intron to approximately 100 nucleotides downstream of the 3′ splice site of the target/retained intron (e.g., a portion of sequence of the exon located downstream of the target/retained intron). For example, a first ASO of 15 nucleotides in length may be designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +6 to +20 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. A second ASO is designed to specifically hybridize to nucleotides +11 to +25 relative to the 5′ splice site of the target/retained intron. ASOs are designed as such spanning the target region of the pre-mRNA. In embodiments, the ASOs can be tiled more closely, e.g., every 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides. Further, the ASOs can be tiled from 100 nucleotides downstream of the 5′ splice site, to 100 nucleotides upstream of the 3′ splice site.

One or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region) are delivered, for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA (e.g., the RIC pre-mRNA described elsewhere herein). The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

A second round of screening, referred to as an ASO “micro-walk” may be performed using ASOs that have been designed to hybridize to a target region of a pre-mRNA. The ASOs used in the ASO micro-walk are tiled every 1 nucleotide to further refine the nucleotide acid sequence of the pre-mRNA that when hybridized with an ASO results in enhanced splicing.

Regions defined by ASOs that promote splicing of the target intron are explored in greater detail by means of an ASO “micro-walk”, involving ASOs spaced in 1-nt steps, as well as longer ASOs, typically 18-25 nt.

As described for the ASO walk above, the ASO micro-walk is performed by delivering one or more ASOs, or a control ASO (an ASO with a scrambled sequence, sequence that is not expected to hybridize to the target region), for example by transfection, into a disease-relevant cell line that expresses the target pre-mRNA. The splicing-inducing effects of each of the ASOs may be assessed by any method known in the art, for example by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR using primers that span the splice junction, as described herein (see “Identification of intron-retention events”). A reduction or absence of the RT-PCR product produced using the primers spanning the splice junction in ASO-treated cells as compared to in control ASO-treated cells indicates that splicing of the target intron has been enhanced. In some embodiments, the splicing efficiency, the ratio of spliced to unspliced pre-mRNA, the rate of splicing, or the extent of splicing may be improved using the ASOs described herein. The amount of protein or functional RNA that is encoded by the target pre-mRNA can also be assessed to determine whether each ASO achieved the desired effect (e.g., enhanced protein production). Any method known in the art for assessing and/or quantifying protein production, such as Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and ELISA, can be used.

ASOs that when hybridized to a region of a pre-mRNA result in enhanced splicing and increased protein production may be tested in vivo using animal models, for example transgenic mouse models in which the full-length human gene has been knocked-in or in humanized mouse models of disease. Suitable routes for administration of ASOs may vary depending on the disease and/or the cell types to which delivery of the ASOs is desired. ASOs may be administered, for example, by intraperitoneal injection, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, or intravenous injection. Following administration, the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the model animals may be assessed to determine the effect of the ASO treatment by for example evaluating splicing (efficiency, rate, extent) and protein production by methods known in the art and described herein. The animal models may also be any phenotypic or behavioral indication of the disease or disease severity.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be more specifically illustrated by the following Examples. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited by these examples in any manner.

Example 1: Identification of Intron Retention Events in JAG1 Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the JAG1 gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells was isolated cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The sequencing results for JAG1 are shown in FIG. 3. Briefly, FIG. 3 shows the mapped reads visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads can be inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of JAG1 (drawn to scale) is provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to JAG1 exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified three introns (13, 18, and 23, indicated by arrows) that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of THLE-3 cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (as shown for intron 13 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 3, for intron 18 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 7, and for intron 23 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 11). This indicates that these introns are retained and that the intron-13, intron-18, and intron-23 containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggests that these retained JAG1 RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 2: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 13 of JAG1

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 13 using the method described herein (FIG. 4; Table 2). A region immediately downstream of the intron 13 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +69 and a region immediately upstream of intron 13 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (with the exception of 1 ASO, JAG1-IVS13+52) (FIG. 4; Table 2).

Example 3: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of JAG1 Intron 13 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether we can achieve an increase in JAG1 expression by improving splicing efficiency of JAG1 intron 13 using ASOs we used the method described herein (FIG. 5). To this end, ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with each of the targeting ASOs described in FIG. 4 and Table 2, or a non-targeting SMN-ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (RiM) (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 60 nM ASOs (as indicated in FIG. 5) for 48 hrs. Radioactive RT-PCR results show that several targeting ASOs (+6, SEQ ID NO: 135; +11, SEQ ID NO: 136; +21, SEQ ID NO: 138; +26, SEQ ID NO: 139; +31, SEQ ID NO: 140; +36, SEQ ID NO: 141; +52; −16, SEQ ID NO: 301; −36, SEQ ID NO: 297; −41, SEQ ID NO: 296; −46, SEQ ID NO: 295; and −51 SEQ ID NO: 294) increase JAG1 transcript level compared to the mock-transfected or non-targeting ASO (FIG. 5). Intensities of the bands corresponding to the JAG1 PCR products from targeting-ASO-transfected cells were normalized to Beta actin and plotted relative to the normalized JAG1 PCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicate that several targeting ASOs increase JAG1 transcript level 2-6 fold (FIG. 5). These results were confirmed by RT-qPCR using primers elsewhere in the JAG1 transcript, showing the same trend of JAG1 upregulation evidenced by the fold-change plots in FIG. 6 (top, normalized to Beta actin, bottom normalized to RPL32). Altogether, these results confirm that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the JAG1 gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression.

Example 4: Design of an ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 18 of JAG1

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 18 using the method described herein (FIG. 8, Table 2). A region immediately downstream of intron 18 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +15 to +67 and a region immediately upstream of intron 18 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (FIG. 8, Table 2).

Example 5: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of JAG1 Intron 18 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in JAG1 expression could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of JAG1 intron 18 using ASOs, the method described herein (FIG. 9) was used. To this end, ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, transfected with each of the targeting ASOs described in FIG. 8 and Table 2, or transfected with a non-targeting SMN-ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (RiM) (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 60 nM ASOs (as indicated in FIG. 5) for 48 hrs. Radioactive RT-PCR results show that several targeting ASOs (+15; +20; and −26, SEQ ID NO: 107) increase JAG1 transcript level compared to the mock-transfected or non-targeting ASO (FIG. 9). Intensities of the bands corresponding to the JAG1 PCR products from targeting-ASO-transfected cells were normalized to Beta actin and plotted relative to the normalized JAG1 PCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicate that three targeting ASOs increase JAG1 transcript level at least 1.5 fold (FIG. 9). These results were confirmed by RT-qPCR using primers elsewhere in the JAG1 transcript, showing the same trend of JAG1 upregulation evidenced by the fold-change plots in FIG. 10 (top, normalized to Beta actin, bottom normalized to RPL32). Altogether, these results confirm that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the JAG1 gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression.

A second method can be used to determine whether an increase in JAG1 target gene intron splicing efficiency can be achieved with ASOs. In brief, ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA), or Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line (NIBIOHN, Japan), or SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line (ATCC) are mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Tables 1 and 2. Cells are transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. ASOs are plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells are detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells are added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments are carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration is 80 nM. Media is changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA is generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR is carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays are carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values are normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt).

Example 6: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 23 of JAG1

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 23 using the method described herein (FIG. 12, Table 2). A region immediately downstream of intron 23 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +58 and a region immediately upstream of intron 23 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (FIG. 12; Table 2).

TABLE 2 ASOs targeting the JAG1 Gene SEQ ID NO ASO Name Sequence 5′ to 3′ Intron 135 JAG-IVS13+6 aggucccgggagaaggga 13 136 JAG-IVS13+11 cagccaggucccgggaga 13 137 JAG-IVS13+16 ggagacagccaggucccg 13 138 JAG-IVS13+21 agucuggagacagccagg 13 139 JAG-IVS13+26 gagcaagucuggagacag 13 140 JAG-IVS13+31 aaaaggagcaagucugga 13 141 JAG-IVS13+36 gggacaaaaggagcaagu 13 150753 JAG-IVS13+52 gcagugguaguaaguggg 13 301 JAG-IVS13−16 gggaucagaucacagcca 13 300 JAG-IVS13−21 cagaucacagccaugcac 13 299 JAG-IVS13−26 cacagccaugcacccaca 13 298 JAG-IVS13−31 ccaugcacccacagaugc 13 297 JAG-IVS13−36 cacccacagaugcggcau 13 296 JAG-IVS13−41 acagaugcggcauuccua 13 295 JAG-IVS13−46 ugcggcauuccuaagcca 13 294 JAG-IVS13−51 cauuccuaagccaagggc 13 150754 JAG-IVS18+15 ccugggagaguucaaggg 18 150755 JAG-IVS18+20 acagcccugggagaguuc 18 150756 JAG-IVS18+25 cuccgacagcccugggag 18 150757 JAG-IVS18+30 aucugcuccgacagcccu 18 150758 JAG-IVS18+35 ucaggaucugcuccgaca 18 150759 JAG-IVS18+40 gggugucaggaucugcuc 18 150760 JAG-IVS18+45 cccaagggugucaggauc 18 150761 JAG-IVS18+50 aaguccccaaggguguca 18 109 JAG-IVS18−16 aacuuaauagugaggacu 18 108 JAG-IVS18−21 aauagugaggacuucaac 18 107 JAG-IVS18−26 ugaggacuucaacaggga 18 106 JAG-IVS18−31 acuucaacagggaaagcg 18 105 JAG-IVS18−36 aacagggaaagcggucuu 18 104 JAG-IVS18−41 ggaaagcggucuuagccc 18 103 JAG-IVS18−46 gcggucuuagcccuaagu 18 102 JAG-IVS18−51 cuuagcccuaaguaaaac 18 369 JAG-IVS23+6 aaaaaacaaagguuguua 23 370 JAG-IVS23+11 caaaaaaaaaacaaaggu 23 371 JAG-IVS23+16 ccauucaaaaaaaaaaca 23 372 JAG-IVS23+21 auccaccauucaaaaaaa 23 373 JAG-IVS23+26 cagacauccaccauucaa 23 374 JAG-IVS23+31 gcaagcagacauccacca 23 375 JAG-IVS23+36 agcaagcaagcagacauc 23 376 JAG-IVS23+41 uuuaaagcaagcaagcag 23 414 JAG-IVS23−16 aaaacccacacacgugua 23 413 JAG-IVS23−21 ccacacacguguaagauu 23 412 JAG-IVS23−26 cacguguaagauugagag 23 411 JAG-IVS23−31 guaagauugagaggaaga 23 410 JAG-IVS23−36 auugagaggaagaacaaa 23 409 JAG-IVS23−41 gaggaagaacaaaaggcu 23 408 JAG-IVS23−46 agaacaaaaggcugagau 23 407 JAG-IVS23−51 aaaaggcugagauguucu 23

Example 7: Identification of Intron Retention Events in TSC2 Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the TSC2 gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of HCN (human cortical neurons), renal epithelial cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The sequencing results for TSC2 are shown in FIG. 13. Briefly, FIG. 13 shows the mapped reads visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads can be inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of TSC2 (drawn to scale) is provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to TSC2 exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified five introns (4, 25, 26, 31, and 32, indicated by arrows) that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of HCN, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (as shown for intron 4 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 13, for introns 25 and 26 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 15, and for introns 31 and 32 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 17). This indicates that these introns are retained and that the intron-4, intron-25, intron-26, intron-31, and intron-32 containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggests that these retained TSC2 RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 8: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 4 of TSC2

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 4 using the method described herein (FIG. 14; Table 4). A region immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site of intron 4 spanning nucleotides +6 to +58 and a region immediately upstream of the 3′ splice site of intron 4 spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals.

Example 9: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 25 and 26 of TSC2

An ASO walk was designed to target introns 25 and 26 using the method described herein (FIG. 16; Table 4). A region immediately downstream of the intron 25 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +58 and a region immediately upstream of intron 26 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals. The splice site intronic regions flanking alternative exon 26 are not targeted to avoid affecting the inclusion level of exon 26.

Example 10: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 31 and 32 of TSC2

An ASO walk was designed to target introns 31 and 32 using the method described herein (FIG. 18; Table 4). A region immediately downstream of the 5′ splice site of intron 31 spanning nucleotides +6 to +58 and a region immediately upstream 3′ splice site of intron 32 spanning nucleotides −18 to −68 were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (with the exception of 2 ASOs, TSC2-IVS32-33 and TSC2-IVS32-51). The splice site intronic regions flanking alternative exon 32 are not targeted to avoid affecting the inclusion level of exon 32.

Example 11: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of TSC2 Intron 4, 25, 26, 31 or 32 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in TSC2 expression could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of TSC2 intron 4, 25, 26, 31 or 32 using ASOs, RT-PCR products were evaluated using radioactive RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA), or Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line (NIBIOHN, Japan), or SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line (ATCC) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in FIG. 20, FIG. 22, FIG. 25 and Tables 1-2. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher), listed in Tables 1-2. Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates was plotted (FIG. 20, FIG. 22 and FIG. 25). In FIG. 20, FIG. 22 and FIG. 25, several ASOs were identified to increase the target gene expression, indicating an increase in splicing at the respective target intron.

TABLE 4 ASOs targeting the TSC2 Gene SEQ ID NO ASO Name Sequence 5′ to 3′ Intron 689, 1760, 2343, 3210, 4452 TSC2-IVS4+6 cccagcgucgcccugggc 4 690, 1761, 2344, 3211, 4453 TSC2-IVS4+11 cccaucccagcgucgccc 4 691, 1762, 2345, 3212, 4454 TSC2-IVS4+16 cgucacccaucccagcgu 4 692, 1763, 2346, 3213, 4455 TSC2-IVS4+21 ccugacgucacccauccc 4 693, 1764, 2347, 3214, 4456 TSC2-IVS4+26 ggcagccugacgucaccc 4 694, 1765, 2348, 3215, 4457 TSC2-IVS4+31 cagugggcagccugacgu 4 695, 1766, 2349, 3216, 4458 TSC2-IVS4+36 acagucagugggcagccu 4 696, 1767, 2350, 3217, 4459 TSC2-IVS4+41 acaggacagucagugggc 4 840, 1911, 2494, 3361, 4603, 5276 TSC2-IVS4−16 acaggaucagcagagccu 4 839, 1910, 2493, 3360, 4602, 5275 TSC2-IVS4−21 aucagcagagccugccag 4 838, 1909, 2492, 3359, 4601, 5274 TSC2-IVS4−26 cagagccugccagcgucg 4 837, 1908, 2491, 3358, 4600, 5273 TSC2-IVS4−31 ccugccagcgucgcccac 4 836, 1907, 2490, 3357, 4599, 5272 TSC2-IVS4−36 cagcgucgcccacacggc 4 835, 1906, 2489, 3356, 4598, 5271 TSC2-IVS4−41 ucgcccacacggcugcca 4 834, 1905, 2488, 3355, 4597, 5270 TSC2-IVS4−46 cacacggcugccaagaag 4 833, 1904, 2487, 3354, 4596, 5269 TSC2-IVS4−51 ggcugccaagaagucccu 4 460, 1316, 2114, 2766, 4001, 4223, TSC2-IVS25+6 aggcacacccccgcaggc 25 4875 461, 1317, 2115, 2767, 4002, 4224, TSC2-IVS25+11 acuccaggcacacccccg 25 4876 462, 1318, 2116, 2768, 4003, 4225, TSC2-IVS25+16 caccgacuccaggcacac 25 4877 463, 1319, 2117, 2769, 4004, 4226, TSC2-IVS25+21 ccccacaccgacuccagg 25 4878 464, 1320, 2118, 2770, 4005, 4227, TSC2-IVS25+26 ccccaccccacaccgacu 25 4879 465, 1321, 2119, 2771, 4006, 4228, TSC2-IVS25+31 uccuuccccaccccacac 25 4880 466, 1322, 2120, 2772, 4007, 4229, TSC2-IVS25+36 ccauguccuuccccaccc 25 4881 467, 1323, 2121, 2773, 4008, 4230, TSC2-IVS25+41 cagccccauguccuuccc 25 4882 639, 1710, 3160, 5054 TSC2-IVS26−16 gugaccagggucagggug 26 638, 1709, 3159, 5053 TSC2-IVS26−21 cagggucagggugccagg 26 637, 1708, 3158, 5052 TSC2-IVS26−26 ucagggugccagguaggg 26 636, 1707, 3157, 5051 TSC2-IVS26−31 gugccagguagggcgggc 26 635, 1706, 3156, 5050 TSC2-IVS26−36 agguagggcgggccgagc 26 634, 1705, 3155, 5049 TSC2-IVS26−41 gggcgggccgagccaccu 26 633, 1704, 3154, 5048 TSC2-IVS26−46 ggccgagccaccuaucac 26 632, 1703, 3153, 5047 TSC2-IVS26−51 agccaccuaucaccaagg 26 899, 1970, 2553, 3420, 3653, 4662, TSC2-IVS31+6 ccaaggcccgccaugcca 31 5335 900, 1971, 2554, 3421, 3654, 4663, TSC2-IVS31+11 ccgugccaaggcccgcca 31 5336 901, 1972, 2555, 3422, 3655, 4664, TSC2-IVS31+16 agagcccgugccaaggcc 31 5337 902, 1973, 2556, 3423, 3656, 4665, TSC2-IVS31+21 ggagcagagcccgugcca 31 5338 903, 1974, 2557, 3424, 3657, 4666, TSC2-IVS31+26 cagugggagcagagcccg 31 5339 904, 1975, 2558, 3425, 3658, 4667, TSC2-IVS31+31 caggccagugggagcaga 31 5340 905, 1976, 2559, 3426, 3659, 4668, TSC2-IVS31+36 agcaccaggccaguggga 31 5341 906, 1977, 2560, 3427, 3660, 4669, TSC2-IVS31+41 ccgggagcaccaggccag 31 5342 150762 TSC2-IVS32−18 gggcugcuggauguggg 32 150763 TSC2-IVS32−33 gggcugggccaggcccug 32 150764 TSC2-IVS32−38 gggccaggcccuggcccu 32 150765 TSC2-IVS32−43 aggcccuggcccugacgu 32 150766 TSC2-IVS32−48 cuggcccugacguggccu 32 1078, 1282, 2732, 3599, 3967, 4841, TSC2-IVS32−51 gcccugacguggccuccg 32 5514

Example 12: Identification of Intron Retention Events in PKD2 Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the PKD2 gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of renal epithelial cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The sequencing results for PKD2 are shown in FIG. 27. Briefly, FIG. 27 shows the mapped reads visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads can be inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of PKD2 (drawn to scale) is provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to PKD2 exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified one intron (intron 5, as indicated) that has high read density in the nuclear fraction of HCN, but very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (as shown for intron 5 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 27). This indicates that intron 5 is retained and that the intron-5 containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, suggesting that this retained PKD2 RIC pre-mRNAs is non-productive, as it is not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 13: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting Intron 5 of PKD2

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 5 using the method described herein (FIG. 28; Table 5, SEQ ID NOS: 5547-5824). A region immediately upstream and downstream of the 5′ splice site of intron 5, spanning nucleotides +497 to −204e, and a region immediately upstream and downstream of the 3′ splice site of intron 5, spanning nucleotides −496 to +212e were utilized to design ASOs to target retained intron 5 PKD2 RIC pre-mRNAs. Table 5 lists exemplary ASOs that were designed and their target sequences. From this design, 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals can be produced and utilized to target PKD2 RIC pre-mRNAs to increase PC-2 protein production.

TABLE 5 List of ASOs targeting the PKD2 gene Target Gene Pre-mRNA Retained Sequence SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: ASOs Intron SEQ ID NO: PKD2 PKD2:NM_000297 SEQ ID Intron 5 SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: SEQ ID NO: 5546 NOs: 5825 5545 5547-5824

Example 14: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of PKD2 Intron 5 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in PKD2 expression could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of PKD2 intron 5 using ASOs, the method described herein can be used. Cell lines of interest (e.g., ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA), or Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line (NIBIOHN, Japan), or SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line (ATCC)) are mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 5. Cells are transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to manufacturer's specifications. Briefly, ASOs are plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells are detached using trypsin, resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells are added to the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments are carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration is 80 nM. Media is changed 6h post-transfection, and cells are harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to manufacturer's specifications. cDNA is generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to manufacturer's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR is carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher), listed in Table 5. Taqman assays are carried out according to manufacturer's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values are normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted. ASOs identified as increasing the target gene expression by a threshold amount imply an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 27), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 15: Identification of Intron Retention Events in PRPF3 Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the PRPF3 gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of ARPE-19 (retinal epithelial) cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The sequencing results for PRPF3 are shown in FIG. 3. Briefly, FIG. 3 shows the mapped reads visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads can be inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of PRPF3 (drawn to scale) is provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to PRPF3 exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified 2 introns in PRPF3 (12 and 13, indicated by arrows, corresponding to NM_004698: intron 12, and NM_004698; intron 13, respectively) and 1 intron in PRPF8 (31, indicated by the arrow, corresponding to NM_006445, intron 31) (FIG. 7) that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of ARPE-19 cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (as shown for intron 12 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 3, 13 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 5, and for introns 31 in the bottom diagram of FIG. 5). This indicates that these introns are retained and that the intron-12 and intron-13, and, intron-31 containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggests that these retained PRPF3 and PRPF8 RIC pre-mRNAs, respectively are non-productive, as they are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 16: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting a Retained Intron

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 12 of PRPF3 using the method described herein (FIG. 31). A region immediately downstream of the intron 12 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +498 and a region immediately upstream of intron 12 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −496 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (with the exception of ASO P3-IVS12+28).

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 13 of PRPF3 using the method described herein (FIG. 33). A region immediately downstream of the intron 13 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +146 and a region immediately upstream of intron 13 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −146 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals (with the exception of ASOs P3-IVS13+15, P3-IVS13+31, and P3-IVS13-47).

An ASO walk was designed to target intron 31 of PRPF8 using the method described herein (FIG. 35). A region immediately downstream of the intron 31 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides +6 to +156 and a region immediately upstream of intron 31 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides −16 to −156 were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals.

Table 6 lists exemplary ASOs that were designed and their target sequences.

TABLE 6 Target Gene Pre-mRNA Retained Sequence SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. ASOs Intron SEQ ID NO. PRPF3 PRPF3:NM_004698 5830-6064 12 6272 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 5828 6065-6148 13 6271 5826 PRPF8 PRPF8:NM_006445 6149-6270 31 6273 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 5829 5827

Example 17: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of PRPF3 Intron 12 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency could be achieved with ASOs, the method described herein was used. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 6. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates was plotted (FIG. 37). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 37, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 36), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 18: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of PRPF3 Intron 13 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency could be achieved with ASOs, the method described herein was used. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 6. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates was plotted (FIG. 37, FIG. 39). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 39, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 38), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 19: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of PRPF8 Intron 31 Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency could be achieved with ASOs, the method described herein was used. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 6. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 41). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 41, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 40), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 20: Identification of Intron Retention Events in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, and STX1B Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA, and STX1B gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly. The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene was provided by the UCSC genome browser so that peaks could be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified introns that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of the cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction. This indicated that these introns were retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggested that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they were not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 21: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting

An ASO walk was designed to target introns using the method described herein. A region immediately downstream of an intron 5′ splice site spanning nucleotides, e.g., +6 to +69 and a region immediately upstream of the intron's 3′ splice site spanning nucleotides, e.g., −16 to −79 of the intron were targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals.

Example 22: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting

To determine whether an increase in expression of ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron in ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5-EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B using ASOs, ARPE-19 or SK-N-AS cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in FIG. 46, FIG. 48, FIG. 50, FIG. 52, FIG. 54, FIG. 56, FIG. 58, FIG. 61, FIG. 63, FIG. 65, FIG. 76, FIG. 78, FIG. 80, and Table 7. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, or STX1B assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates were plotted These results were used to confirm that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression.

FIG. 42 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ADAR intron 2 corresponding to NM_001111. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 43 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ARSA intron 3 corresponding to NM_001085425. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 44 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ARSA intron 4 corresponding to NM_001085425. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 45 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for DNMT1 intron 30 corresponding to NM_001130823. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 46 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of DNMT1 mRNA without intron 30 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 47 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B2 intron 1 corresponding to NM_014239. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 48 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B2 mRNA without intron 1 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 49 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B5 intron 12 corresponding to NM_003907. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 50 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B5 mRNA without intron 12 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 51 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for EIF2B5 intron 13 corresponding to NM_003907. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 52 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of EIF2B5 mRNA without intron 13 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 53 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 10 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 54 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PEX1 mRNA without intron 10 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 55 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 14 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 56 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PEX1 mRNA without intron 14 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 57 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRICKLE2 intron 4 corresponding to NM_198859. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 58 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of PRICKLE2 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 59 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PRRT2 intron 1 corresponding to NM_145239. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 60 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for RAI1 intron 4 corresponding to NM_030665. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 61 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of RAI1 mRNA without intron 4 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 62 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for SHANK3 intron 16 corresponding to NM_033517. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 63 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of SHANK3 mRNA without intron 16 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 64 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STXBP1 intron 18 corresponding to NM_001032221. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 65 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of STXBP1 mRNA without intron 18 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 66 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for SETD5 intron 4 corresponding to NM_001080517. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 67 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP1A2 intron 22 corresponding to NM_000702. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 68 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CACNA1A intron 36 corresponding to NM_023035. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 69 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for CACNA1A intron 37 corresponding to NM_023035. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 70 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NF2 intron 16 corresponding to NM_181832. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 71 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 19 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 72 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for PEX1 intron 21 corresponding to NM_000466. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 73 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STX1B intron 6 corresponding to NM_052874. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 74 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for STX1B intron 7 corresponding to NM_052874. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 75 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NF2 intron 16 corresponding to NM_181832. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 76 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of NF2 mRNA without intron 16 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 77 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for NPC1 intron 15 corresponding to NM_000271. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 78 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of NPC1 mRNA without intron 15 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 79 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for ATP1A2 intron 22 corresponding to NM_000702. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

FIG. 80 depicts an exemplary graph showing the average (n=3) fold change in expression levels of ATP1A2 mRNA without intron 22 in ARPE-19 cells treated for 24 hrs with 80 nM of the indicated ASOs over mock treated cells. Data is normalized to RPL32 expression.

FIG. 81 depicts a schematic of the RefSeq Genes for TCF4 intron 18 corresponding to NM_001243226. The Percent Intron Retention (PIR) of the circled intron is shown.

Table 8 illustrates percentage of retained intron with respect to the genes of interest.

TABLE 8 Retained Introns in Genes of Interest Retained Intron Gene RNA Accession (Percent Intron Symbol Gene ID Number Retention) Cells ATP1A2 477 NM_000702 Intron 22 (14%) HCN CACNA1A 773 NM_023035 Intron 37 (26%) AST CACNA1A 773 NM_001127221 Intron 36 (56%) AST Intron 36 (55%) SETD5 55209 NM_001080517 Intron 4 (42%) HCN SHANK3 85358 NM_033517 Intron 16 (7%) AST NF2 4771 NM_181832 Intron 16 (N/A) HCN DNMT1 1786 NM_001379 Intron 29 (13%) HCN TCF4 6925 NM_003199 Intron 17 (15%) AST TCF4 6925 NM_001243228 Intron 17 (29%) AST RAI1 10743 NM_030665 Intron 4 (13%) AST PEX1 5189 NM_000466 Intron 10 (25%) HCN Intron 14 (19%) Intron 19 (18%) Intron 21 (14%) ARSA 410 NM_001085425 Intron 3 (N/A) HCN Intron 4 (N/A) EIF2B5 8893 NM_003907 Intron 12 (42%) HCN Intron 13 (29%) EIF2B1 1967 NM_001414 Intron 6 (27%) HCN EIF2B2 8892 NM_014239 Intron 1 (9%) HCN NPC1 4864 NM_000271 Intron 15 (11%) HCN ADAR 103 NM_001111 Intron 2 (12%) AST MFSD8 256471 NM_152778 Intron 12 (42%) HCN STXBP1 6812 NM_001032221 Intron 18 (N/A) AST PRICKLE2 166336 NM_198859 Intron 4 (19%) AST PRRT2 112476 NM_145239 Intron 1 (77%) HCN STX1B 112755 NM_052874 Intron 6 (11%) HCN, AST Intron 7 (12%) IDUA 607015 NM_000203 Intron 3 (25%) HCN Intron 4 (63%) Intron 5 (16%) Intron 6 (N/A) Intron 7 (N/A)

Example 23: Identification of Intron Retention Events in ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, PAX6, FSCN2, MYOC, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 and IDUA Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the ROM1, TEAD1, RDH5, PAX6, FSCN2, TCF4, MFSD8, CTNS, OPTN, RLBP1, RPE65, LRAT, RDH8, RDH12, RGR, CNGA3, ALMS1, PER1 and IDUA gene to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of cells was isolated from cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. ARPE-19 cells or astrocytes were used for most analyses, and in certain cases (for RDH8 and RDH12) human retinal transcriptome data was used (Farkas, et al., 2013, “Transcriptome analyses of the human retina identify unprecedented transcript diversity and 3.5 Mb of novel transcribed sequence via significant alternative splicing and novel genes,” BMC Genomics 14:486, incorporated herein by reference). The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that can be mapped to the human genome. The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene (drawn to scale) was provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified introns that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of the cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction. This indicated that these introns were retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggested that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they were not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 24: Identification of Intron Retention Events in CRX, ABCA4, MYOC, and NXNL1 Transcript by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the CRX, ABCA4, MYOC, and NXNL1 genes described herein to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells is isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries are pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome. The mapped reads are visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene is provided by the UCSC genome browser so that peaks can be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identify introns that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of THLE-3 cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells. This indicates that these introns are retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggests that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 25: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting

An ASO walk was designed to target introns using the method described herein. A region immediately downstream of an intron 5′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides +6 to +69 and a region immediately upstream of the intron's 3′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides −16 to −68 of the intron was targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals. Table 9 lists exemplary ASOs that were designed and their target sequences.

TABLE 9 Target Re- Sequence Gene Pre-mRNA ASOs tained SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. Intron NO. ABCA4 ABCA4:NM_000350 34873-35104 40 61463 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34813 35105-35332 38 61495 34790 35333-35563 36 61445 35564-35805 44 61470 35806-35915 39 61453 RPE65 RPE65:NM_000329 35916-36082 9 61480 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34814 36083-36317 10 61460 34791 MYOC MYOC:NM_000261 36318-36644 1 61458 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34815 36645-37107 2 61485 34792 CNGA3 CNGA3:NM_001298 37108-37333 6 61500 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34816 34793 CNGA3:NM_001079878 37334-37559 5 61500 SEQ ID NO. 34817 MFSD8 MFSD8:NM_152778 37560-37641 11 61492 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34818 37642-38420 12 61497 34794 IDUA IDUA:NM_000203 38421-38486 3 61457 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34819 38487-38602 4 61468 34795 38603-38668 5 61489 38669-38741 6 61444 38742-38826 7 61452 IDUA:NR_110313 38827-38892 3 61457 SEQ ID NO. 34820 38893-39008 4 61468 39009-39074 5 61489 39075-39147 6 61444 39148-39232 7 61452 LRAT LRAT:NM_001301645 39233-40334 2 61474 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34821 34796 LRAT:NM_004744 40335-41436 2 61474 SEQ ID NO. 34822 OPTN OPTN:NM_001008211 41437-41669 9 61503 SEQ ID NO SEQ ID NO. 34823 34797 OPTN:NM_001008212 41670-41902 8 61503 SEQ ID NO. 34824 OPTN:NM_001008213 41903-42135 9 61503 SEQ ID NO. 34825 OPTN:NM_021980 42136-42368 7 61503 SEQ ID NO. 34826 RGR RGR:NM_002921 42369-42595 1 61446 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID No. 34827 42596-42829 2 61476 34798 RGR:NM_001012722 42830-43056 1 61446 SEQ ID NO. 34828 43057-43288 2 61472 RGR:NM_001012720 43289-43515 1 61446 SEQ ID NO. 34829 43516-43747 2 61472 TEAD1 TEAD1 :NM_021961 43748-43952 4 61461 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34830 34799 PAX6 PAX6:NM_001310160 43953-44085 2 61486 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34831 44086-44296 3 61466 34800 PAX6:NM_001310161 44297-44563 1 61496 SEQ ID NO. 34832 44564-44630 3 61467 44631-44841 4 61502 PAX6:NM_001258465 44842-45041 3 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34833 45042-45273 4 61448 45274-45484 5 61502 PAX6:NM_000280 45485-45684 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34834 45685-45916 5 61448 45917-46127 6 61502 PAX6:NM_001258464 46128-46327 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34835 46328-46559 5 61448 46560-46770 6 61502 PAX6:NM_001604 46771-46970 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34836 46971-47037 6 61467 47038-47248 7 61502 PAX6:NM_001127612 47249-47448 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34837 47449-47680 5 61448 47681-47891 6 61502 PAX6:NM_001258462 47892-48091 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34838 48092-48158 6 61467 48159-48369 7 61502 PAX6:NM_001310159 48370-48569 2 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34839 48570-48801 3 61448 48802-49012 4 61502 PAX6:NM_001310158 49013-49212 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34840 49213-49279 6 61467 49280-49490 7 61502 PAX6:NM_001258463 49491-49690 4 61483 SEQ ID NO. 34841 49691-49757 6 61467 49758-49968 7 61502 ROM1 ROM1:NM_000327 49969-50275 1 26665 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34842 34801 RDH5 RDH5:NM_002905 50276-50489 1 26704 SEQ ID NO SEQ ID NO. 34843 50490-50633 2 26666 34802 RDH5:NM_001199771 50634-50846 1 26709 SEQ ID NO. 34844 50847-50991 2 26684 RDH12 RDH12:NM_152443 50992-51247 7 26693 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34845 34803 NR2E3 NR2E3:NM_014249 51248-51450 1 26702 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34846 51451-51061 2 26660 34804 51517-51587 3 26705 51588-51679 4 26698 51680-51916 5 26658 51917-51958 6 26676 51959-52043 7 26712 NR2E3:NM_016346 52044-52246 1 26702 SEQ ID NO. 34847 52247-52312 2 26660 52313-52383 3 26705 52384-52475 4 26698 52476-52712 5 26658 52713-52754 6 26676 52755-52998 7 26701 RLBP1 RLBP1:NM_000326 52999-53172 2 26673 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34848 53173-53427 5 26667 34805 CTNS CTNS:NM_004937 53428-53650 9 26690 SEQ ID NO SEQ ID NO. 34849 53651-53875 10 26692 34806 CTNS:NM_001031681 53876-54098 9 26690 SEQ ID NO. 34850 54099-54323 10 26692 PER1 PER1:NM_002616 54324-54571 1 26682 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34851 54572-54634 14 26710 34807 FSCN2 FSCN2:NM_012418 54635-55021 1 26670 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34852 55022-55136 3 26662 34808 FSCN2:NM_001077182 55137-55523 1 26670 SEQ ID NO. 34853 55524-55638 3 26661 TCF4 TCF4:NM_001243236 55639-55880 9 26688 SEQ ID NO SEQ ID NO. 34854 34809 TCF4:NM_001243235 55881-56122 9 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34855 TCF4:NM_001243234 56123-56366 9 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34856 TCF4:NM_001243233 56367-56608 12 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34857 TCF4:NM_001243232 56609-56852 12 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34858 TCF4:NM_001243231 56853-57094 14 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34859 TCF4:NM_003199 57095-57336 16 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34860 TCF4:NM_001306207 57337-57578 15 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34861 TCF4:NM_001306208 57579-57820 12 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34862 TCF4:NM_001243227 57821-58064 15 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34863 TCF4:NM_001243228 58065-58308 16 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34864 TCF4:NM_001243230 58309-58550 15 26688 SEQ ID NO. 34865 TCF4:NM_001243226 58551-58794 17 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34866 TCF4:NM_001083962 58795-59038 16 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34867 TCF4:NM_001330605 59039-59282 11 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34868 TCF4:NM_001330604 59283-59526 16 26689 SEQ ID NO. 34869 RDH8 RDH8:NM_015725 59527-59662 4 26680 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34870 34810 NXNL1 NXNL1:NM_138454 59663-60020 1 26699 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34871 34811 CRX CRX:NM_000554 60021-60254 1 26675 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 34872 60255-60484 2 26695 34812 60485-61443 3 26686

Example 26: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases FSCN2 Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 83, FIG. 85, and FIG. 86). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 83, FIG. 85, and FIG. 86, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 82 and FIG. 84), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 27: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases MFSD8 Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 89). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 89, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 86 and FIG. 88), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 28: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases OPTN Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 91). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 91, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 90), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 29: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases RDH5 Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 93). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 93, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 92 and FIG. 94), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 30: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases RLBP1 Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 96). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 96, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 95), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 31: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases ABCA4 Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 108 and FIG. 111). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 108 and FIG. 111, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. These results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 32: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases IDUA Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 115). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 115, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 114, FIG. 116, FIG. 117, FIG. 118, and FIG. 119), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 33: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases CTNS Transcript Levels

To determine an increase in target gene intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in Table 9. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher). Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates is plotted (FIG. 122). Several ASOs were identified that increased the target gene expression, as shown in FIG. 122, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data confirming retention of the target intron (FIG. 120 and FIG. 121), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 34: Identification of Intron Retention Events in AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, GALT, LDLRAP1, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, TRIB1, TGFB1, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by the AMT, ADA, PPOX, UROD, HMBS, ACADVL, PC, IVD, GALT, LDLRAP1, POGLUT1, PIK3R1, TRIB1, TGFB1, PNPLA3, ATP7B, FAH, ASL, HFE, ALMS1, PPARD, IL6, HSD3B7, CERS2 and NCOA5 genes described herein to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene was provided by the UCSC genome browser so that peaks could be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, introns were identified that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of THLE-3 cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (see Table 10 and 11 and FIGs. for percent intron retention (PIR) data obtained). This indicated that these introns were retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggested that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they were not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 35: Identification of Intron Retention Events in APOA5, HNF4A, GCK, HNF1A, HAMP, and THPO Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts, e.g., those produced by the APOA5, HNF4A, GCK, HNF1A, HAMP, and THPO genes described herein, to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of THLE-3 (human liver epithelial) cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly). The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicated the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene was provided by the UCSC genome browser so that peaks could be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, introns were identified that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of THLE-3 cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (see Table 10 and 11 and FIGs. for percent intron retention (PIR) data obtained). This indicated that these introns were retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remained in the nucleus, and suggested that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs were non-productive, as they were not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 36: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting a Retained Intron

An ASO walk was designed to target a retained intron using the method described herein. A region immediately downstream of the intron 5′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides +6 to +69 and a region immediately upstream of intron 3′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides −16 to −79 of the intron was targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals. Table 10 lists retained introns in genes of interest in THLE-3 cells. Table 11 lists exemplary ASOs that were designed and their target sequences.

TABLE 10 Gene Gene RNA Accession Retained Intron (Percent Symbol ID Number Intron Retention) AMT 275 NM_000481 Intron 4(39%) Intron 6(15%) ADA 100 NM_000022 Intron 4(11%) Intron 11(12%) Intron 7(N/A) PPOX 5498 NM_000309 Intron 5(59%) Intron 4(22%) Intron 8(18%) Intron 12(18%) UROD 7389 NM_000374 Intron 3(20%) Intron 4(17%) Intron 5(14%) Intron 6(19%) Intron 7(18%) HMBS 3145 NM_000190 Intron 8(15%) Intron 9(12%) ACADVL 37 NM_000018 Intron 3(N/A) Intron 5(N/A) Intron 8(N/A) Intron 9(N/A) Intron 10(15%) Intron 13(15%) PC 5091 NM_022172 Intron 16(25%) IVD 3712 NM_002225 Intron 7(22%) Intron 9(13%) Intron 11(23%) APOA5 116519 No reads No reads GALT 2592 NM_000155 Intron 5(13%) Intron 7(21%) Intron 10(15%) Intron 2(N/A) Intron 3(N/A) Intron 4(N/A) Intron 8(N/A) Intron 9(N/A) LDLRAP1 26119 NM_015627 Intron 1(12%) Intron 8(12%) GCK 2645 No reads No reads POTGLUT1 56983 NM_152305 Intron 1(18%) POTGLUT1 56983 NR 024265 Intron 4(47%) Intron 5(44%) PIK3R1 5295 NM_181523 Intron 3(7%) Intron 9(11%) HNF1A 6927 No reads No reads TRIB1 10221 NM_025195 Intron 2(48%) Intron 1(N/A) TGFB1 7040 NM_000660 Intron 4(N/A) HAMP 57817 No reads No reads THPO 7066 No reads No reads PNPLA3 80339 NM_025225 Intron 1(8%) Intron 4(34%) Intron 5(16%) Intron 7(41%) ATP7B 540 NM_000053 Intron 7(N/A) Intron 13(8%) FAH 2184 NM_000137 Intron 1(N/A) ASL 435 NM_000048 Intron 7(24%) Intron 8(N/A) Intron 9(23%) Intron 16(16%) HFE 3077 NM_000410 Intron 2(N/A) ALMS1 7840 NM_015120 Intron 21(60%) PPARD 5467 NM_006238 Intron 3(20%) Intron 4(18%) Intron 5(12%) Intron 6(17%) Intron 7(N/A) IL6 3569 NM_000600 Intron 1(N/A) Intron 2(10%) Intron 3(10%) Intron 4(N/A) HSD3B7 80270 NM_001142777 Intron 1(74%) Intron 2(25%) Intron 3(14%) Intron 4(22%) HSD3B7 80270 NM_025193 Intron 5(12%) Intron 6(24%) CERS2 29956 NM_022075 Intron 6(13%) NCOA5 57727 NM_020967 Intron 2(22%)

TABLE 11 Gene Pre-mRNA ASOs Retained Target Sequence SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NOs. Intron SEQ ID NO. LDLRAP1 LDLRAP1: 61634-62185 8 139857 SEQ ID NM_015627 62186-62428 1 139962 NO. 61504 SEQ ID NO. 61535 UROD UROD: NM_000374 62429-62467 3 139913 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61536 62468-62562 4 139889 NO. 61505 62563-62653 5 139914 62654-62782 6 139963 62783-62855 7 139966 UROD: NR_036510 62856-62894 3 139913 SEQ ID NO. 61537 62895-62989 4 139889 62990-63080 5 139914 63081-63209 6 139963 63210-63282 7 139966 CERS2 CERS2: NM_022075 63283-63342 6 139950 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61538 NO. 61506 CERS2: NM_181746 63343-63402 6 139950 SEQ ID NO. 61539 PPOX PPOX: NM_000309 63403-63462 8 139964 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61540 63463-63563 5 139976 NO. 61507 63664-63613 12 139983 63614-63752 4 139924 PPOX: 63753-63812 8 139964 NM_001122764 63813-63913 5 139976 SEQ ID NO. 61541 63914-63963 12 139983 63964-64102 4 139924 ALMS1 ALMS1: 64103-64315 21 139902 SEQ ID NM_015120 NO. 61508 SEQ ID NO. 61542 AMT AMT: 64316-64530 3 139986 SEQ ID NM_001164710 64531-64613 5 139968 NO. 61509 SEQ ID NO. 61543 AMT: 64614-64730 3 139937 NM_001164711 64731-64813 5 139968 SEQ ID NO. 61544 AMT: 64814-64930 4 139937 NM_001164712 64931-65013 6 139968 SEQ ID NO. 61545 AMT: NM_000481 65014-65130 4 139937 SEQ ID NO. 61546 65131-65213 6 139968 AMT: NR_028435 65214-65330 4 139937 SEQ ID NO. 61547 65331-65413 6 139968 POGLUT1 POGLUT1: 65414-65595 1 61503 SEQ ID NM_152305 65596-65836 4 139853 NO. 61510 SEQ ID NO. 61548 65837-66062 5 139935 POGLUT1: 66063-66234 1 61503 NR_024265 66235-66513 4 139942 SEQ ID NO. 61549 66514-66767 5 139892 THPO THPO: 66768-67028 2 139928 SEQ ID NM_001289998 67029-67119 3 139903 NO. 61511 SEQ ID NO. 61550 67120-67207 4 139896 67208-67446 5 139854 67447-67747 6 139884 THPO: 67748-67976 1 139869 NM_001177598 67977-68067 2 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61551 68068-68155 3 139896 68156-68394 4 139854 68395-68695 5 139960 THPO: 68696-68956 2 139928 NM_001290022 68957-69047 3 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61552 69048-69135 4 139896 69136-69373 5 139854 69374-69675 6 139946 THPO: 69676-69936 2 139928 NM_001290003 69937-70027 3 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61553 70028-70115 4 139896 70116-70354 5 139854 70355-70655 6 139884 THPO: 70656-70884 1 139869 NM_001289997 70885-70975 2 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61554 70976-71063 3 139896 71064-71302 4 139854 71303-71391 5 139865 THPO: NM_000460 71392-71620 1 139869 SEQ ID NO. 61555 71621-71711 2 139903 71711-71799 3 139896 71800-72038 4 139854 72039-72339 5 139884 THPO: 72340-72568 1 139869 NM_001177597 72569-72659 2 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61556 72660-72747 3 139896 72748-72986 4 139854 72987-73287 5 139946 THPO: 73288-73508 1 139949 NM_001290028 73509-73599 2 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61557 73600-73687 3 139896 73688-73926 4 139854 73927-74227 5 139884 THPO: 74228-74488 2 139928 NM_001290027 74489-74579 3 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61558 74580-74667 4 139896 74668-74906 5 139854 74907-74995 6 139865 THPO: 74996-75256 2 139928 NM_001290026 75257-75347 3 139903 SEQ ID NO. 61559 75348-75435 4 139896 75436-75674 5 139854 75675-75975 6 139960 PIK3R1 PIK3R1: 75976-76047 9 139893 SEQ ID NM_181523 76048-76163 3 139921 NO. 61512 SEQ ID NO. 61560 PIK3R1: 76164-76235 3 139893 NM_181524 SEQ ID NO. 61561 PIK3R1: 76236-76307 3 139893 NM_181504 SEQ ID NO. 61562 PIK3R1: 76308-76379 2 139893 NM_001242466 SEQ ID NO. 61563 PPARD PPARD: 76380-76636 3 139917 SEQ ID NM_006238 76637-76879 4 139981 NO. 61513 SEQ ID NO. 61564 76880-77131 5 139975 77132-77291 6 139860 77292-77982 7 139898 PPARD: 77983-78239 3 139917 NM_177435 78240-78482 4 139981 SEQ ID NO. 61565 78483-78734 5 139975 78735-79015 6 139862 PPARD: 79016-79706 8 139898 NM_001171818 79707-79963 4 139917 SEQ ID NO. 61566 79964-80206 5 139981 80207-80458 6 139975 80459-80618 7 139860 PPARD: 80619-80848 2 139877 NM_001171819 80849-81091 3 139981 SEQ ID NO. 61567 81092-81343 4 139975 81344-81503 5 139860 81504-82194 6 139898 PPARD: 82195-82461 3 139993 NM_001171820 82462-82621 4 139860 SEQ ID NO. 61568 82622-83312 5 139898 HFE HFE: NM_139007 83313-83586 1 139922 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61569 NO. 61514 HFE: NM_139006 83587-83730 2 139887 SEQ ID NO. 61570 HFE: NM_139004 83731-84016 2 140003 SEQ ID NO. 61571 HFE: NM_139003 84017-84296 2 139927 SEQ ID NO. 61572 HFE: 84297-84440 2 139887 NM_001300749 SEQ ID NO. 61573 HFE: NM_139009 84441-84570 2 139969 SEQ ID NO. 61574 HFE: NM_139008 84571-84844 1 139922 SEQ ID NO. 61575 HFE: NM_000410 84845-84988 2 139887 SEQ ID NO. 61576 IL6 IL6: NM_001318095 84989-85209 1 139939 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61577 85210-85394 2 139916 NO. 61515 85395-85725 3 139918 IL6: NM_000600 85726-85808 1 139901 SEQ ID NO. 61578 85809-86044 2 139906 86045-86229 3 139916 86230-86560 4 139918 GCK GCK: NM_033508 86561-86788 1 139948 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61579 86789-86998 2 139984 NO. 61516 86999-87216 3 139882 87217-87444 4 139934 87445-87647 5 139972 87648-87700 6 139911 87701-87934 7 139880 87935-88177 8 139920 88178-88385 9 139890 88386-88646 10 139958 GCK: NM_000162 88647-88937 1 139987 SEQ ID NO. 61580 88938-89155 2 139882 89156-89383 3 139934 89384-89586 4 139972 89587-89639 5 139911 89640-89873 6 139880 89874-90116 7 139920 90117-90324 8 139890 90325-90585 9 139958 GCK: NM_033507 90586-90831 1 139873 SEQ ID NO. 61581 90832-91049 2 139882 91050-91277 3 139934 91278-91480 4 139972 91481-91533 5 139911 91534-91767 6 139880 91768-92010 7 139920 92011-92218 8 139890 92219-92479 9 139958 ASL ASL: NM_000048 92480-92597 8 139997 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61582 92598-92672 9 139907 NO. 61517 92673-92815 16 139874 92816-92855 7 139868 ASL: 92856-92930 8 139907 NM_001024943 92931-93073 15 139874 SEQ ID NO. 61583 93074-93113 6 139868 93114-93231 7 139997 ASL: 93232-93306 8 139907 NM_001024944 93307-93346 6 139868 SEQ ID NO. 61584 93347-93489 14 139874 93490-93607 7 139997 ASL: 93608-93750 14 139874 NM_001024946 93751-93896 6 139856 SEQ ID NO. 61585 93897-386184 7 139907 TRIB1 TRIM: NM_025195 93972-94373 1 139990 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61586 94374-95069 2 139989 NO. 61518 TRIB1: 95070-95327 1 139989 NM_001282985 95328-96023 2 139989 SEQ ID NO. 61587 GALT GALT: NM_000155 96024-96104 2 139992 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61588 96105-96137 3 139919 NO. 61519 96138-96188 4 139919 96189-96243 5 139855 96244-96338 7 139938 96339-96387 8 139996 96388-96491 9 139926 96492-96719 10 139940 GALT: 96720-96871 2 139952 NM_001258332 96872-96926 3 139855 SEQ ID NO. 61589 96927-97021 5 139938 97022-97070 6 139996 97071-97174 7 139926 97175-97402 8 139940 PC PC: NM_000920 97403-97533 17 139998 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61590 NO. 61520 PC: NM_001040716 97534-97664 18 139998 SEQ ID NO. 61591 PC: NM_022172 97665-97795 16 139998 SEQ ID NO. 61592 APOA5 APOA5: 97796-97900 1 139910 SEQ ID NM_052968 97901-97958 2 140002 NO. 61521 SEQ ID NO. 61593 97959-98393 3 139923 APOA5: 98394-98497 1 139875 NM_001166598 98498-98550 2 139900 SEQ ID NO. 61594 98551-98985 3 139923 HMBS HMBS: NM_000190 98986-99057 10 139858 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61595 99058-99135 11 139970 NO. 61522 HMBS: 99136-99266 10 139957 NM_001258208 SEQ ID NO. 61596 HMBS: 99267-99338 10 139858 NM_001024382 99339-99416 11 139970 SEQ ID NO. 61597 HMBS: 99417-99547 10 139957 NM_001258209 SEQ ID NO. 61598 HNF1A HNF1A: 99548-99864 1 139956 SEQ ID NM_000545 99865-100124 2 139864 NO. 61523 SEQ ID NO. 61599 100125-100281 3 139866 100282-100533 4 139936 100534-100610 5 139941 100611-100812 6 139933 100813-101046 7 139991 101047-101101 8 139965 101102-101576 9 139971 HNF1A: 101577-101893 1 139956 NM_001306179 101894-102153 2 139864 SEQ ID NO. 61600 102154-102310 3 139866 102311-103012 4 139936 103013-102639 5 139941 102640-102841 6 139933 102842-103075 7 139991 103076-103131 8 139908 103132-103608 9 139995 ATP7B ATP7B: 103609-103870 8 139930 SEQ ID NM_001243182 103871-104118 14 139886 NO. 61524 SEQ ID NO. 61601 ATP7B: NM_000053 104119-104366 13 139886 SEQ ID NO. 61602 104367-104628 7 139930 ATP7B: 104629-104876 9 139886 NM_001005918 SEQ ID NO. 61603 ATP7B: 104877-105124 11 139886 NM_001330579 105125-105389 5 139947 SEQ ID NO. 61604 ATP7B: 105390-105637 12 139886 NM_001330578 105638-105873 7 139897 SEQ ID NO. 61605 FAH FAH: NM_000137 105874-106128 1 139885 SEQ ID SEQ ID NO. 61606 NO. 61525 IVD IVD: 106129-106278 8 139967 SEQ ID NM_001159508 106279-107101 10 139878 NO. 61526 SEQ ID NO. 61607 107102-107322 6 139883 IVD: NM_002225 107323-107472 9 139967 SEQ ID NO. 61608 107473-108295 11 139878 108296-108516 7 139883 HSD3B7 HSD3B7: 108517-108618 1 139852 SEQ ID NM_001142777 108619-108747 2 139973 NO. 61527 SEQ ID NO. 61609 108748-108828 3 140001 108829-108873 4 139909 108874-109328 5 139945 HSD3B7: 109329-109427 1 139954 NM_001142778 109428-109524 2 139899 SEQ ID NO. 61610 109525-109605 3 140001 109606-109650 4 139909 109651-110105 5 139945 HSD3B7: 110106-110204 1 139954 NM_025193 110205-110301 2 139899 SEQ ID NO. 61611 110302-110382 3 140001 110383-110427 4 139909 110428-110492 5 139912 110493-110925 6 139881 ACADVL ACADVL: 110926-110961 2 139870 SEQ ID NM_001270448 110962-111015 4 139879 NO. 61528 SEQ ID NO. 61612 111016-111068 7 139943 111069-111200 8 139951 111201-111303 9 139980 111304-111349 12 139988 111350-111393 17 139999 111394-111472 18 139925 ACADVL: 111473-111508 4 139870 NM_001270447 111509-111562 6 139879 SEQ ID NO. 61613 111563-111615 9 139943 111616-111747 10 139951 111748-111850 11 139980 111851-111896 14 139988 111897-111940 19 139999 111941-112019 20 139925 ACADVL: 112020-112055 3 139870 NM_000018 112056-112109 5 139879 SEQ ID NO. 61614 112110-112162 8 139943 112163-112294 9 139951 112295-112397 10 139980 112398-112443 13 139988 112444-112487 18 139999 112488-112566 19 139925 ACADVL: 112567-112661 2 139915 NM 001033859 112662-112715 4 139879 SEQ ID NO. 61615 112716-112768 7 139943 112769-112900 8 139951 112901-113003 9 139980 113004-113049 12 139988 113050-113093 17 139999 113094-113172 18 139925 HAMP HAMP: 113173-113424 1 140000 SEQ ID NM_021175 113425-113474 2 139929 NO. 61529 SEQ ID NO. 61616 TGFB1 TGFB1: 113475-113528 4 139961 SEQ ID NM_000660 NO. 61530 SEQ ID NO. 61617 HNF4A HNF4A: 113529-113770 2 139895 SEQ ID NM_001287184 113771-114002 3 139959 NO. 61531 SEQ ID NO. 61618 114003-114202 4 139931 114203-114380 5 139994 114381-114614 6 140004 114615-114851 7 139863 114852-115179 8 139944 HNF4A: 115180-115421 2 139895 NM_001287183 115422-115653 3 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61619 115654-115853 4 139931 115854-116031 5 139994 116032-116265 6 140004 116266-116502 7 139863 116503-116758 8 139932 116759-117011 9 139861 117012-117834 10 139867 HNF4A: 117835-118047 1 139978 NM 175914 118048-118279 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61620 118280-118479 3 139931 118480-118657 4 139994 118658-118891 5 140004 118892-119128 6 139863 119129-119384 7 139932 119385-119637 8 139861 119638-120460 9 139867 HNF4A: 120461-120673 1 139978 NM_001030004 120674-120905 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61621 120906-121105 3 139931 121106-121283 4 139994 121284-121517 5 140004 121518-121754 6 139863 121755-122082 7 139944 HNF4A: 122083-122324 2 139895 NM_001287182 122325-122556 3 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61622 122557-122756 4 139931 122757-122934 5 139994 122935-123168 6 140004 123169-123405 7 139863 123406-123661 8 139932 123662-123911 9 139894 123912-124730 10 139982 HNF4A: 124731-124943 1 139978 NM_001030003 124944-125175 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61623 125176-125375 3 139931 125376-125553 4 139994 125554-125787 5 140004 125788-126024 6 139863 126025-126280 7 139932 126281-126530 8 139894 126531-127349 9 139982 HNF4A: 129035-129283 1 139904 NM_000457 129284-129515 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61624 129516-129715 3 139931 129716-129893 4 139994 129894-130127 5 140004 130128-130364 6 139863 130365-130620 7 139932 130621-130873 8 139861 130874-131696 9 139867 HNF4A: 131697-131939 1 139876 NM_001258355 131940-132151 2 139953 SEQ ID NO. 61625 132152-132383 3 139959 132384-132583 4 139931 132584-132761 5 139994 132762-132995 6 140004 132996-133232 7 139863 133233-133488 8 139932 133489-133741 9 139861 133742-134564 10 139867 HNF4A: 134565-134813 1 139904 NM_178850 134814-135045 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61626 135046-135245 3 139931 135246-135423 4 139994 135424-135657 5 140004 135658-135894 6 139863 135895-136222 7 139944 HNF4A: 136223-136471 1 139904 NM_178849 136472-136703 2 139959 SEQ ID NO. 61627 136704-136903 3 139931 136904-137081 4 139994 137082-137315 5 140004 137316-137552 6 139863 137553-137808 7 139932 137809-138058 8 139894 138059-138877 9 139982 ADA ADA: 127350-127517 10 139985 SEQ ID NM_001322051 127518-127695 4 139888 NO. 61532 SEQ ID NO. 61628 ADA: NM_000022 127696-127863 11 139985 SEQ ID NO. 61629 127864-128041 4 139888 ADA: 128042-128209 10 139985 NM_001322050 128210-128438 4 139872 SEQ ID NO. 61630 ADA: NR_136160 128439-128606 10 139985 SEQ ID NO. 61631 128607-128784 4 139888 NCOA5 NCOA5: 128785-129034 2 139955 SEQ ID NM_020967 NO. 61533 SEQ ID NO. 61632 PNPLA3 PNPLA3: 138878-139162 1 139891 SEQ ID NM_025225 139173-139394 4 139905 NO. 61534 SEQ ID NO. 61633 139395-139621 5 139974 139622-139851 7 139859

Example 37: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases AMT Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of AMT could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with AMT targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 123A and B). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase AMT gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from AMT targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several AMT targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the AMT gene using ASOs led to an increase in AMT gene expression.

Example 38: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases GALT Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of GALT could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with GALT targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 124C and D; and FIGS. 124G and 4H). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase GALT gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from GALT targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several GALT targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the GALT gene using ASOs led to an increase in GALT gene expression.

Example 39: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases PC Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of PC could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with PC targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 125A and B). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase PC gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from PC targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several PC targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the PC gene using ASOs led to an increase in PC gene expression.

Example 40: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases FAH Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of FAH could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with FAH targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 126A and B). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase FAH gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from FAH targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several FAH targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the FAH gene using ASOs led to an increase in FAH gene expression.

Example 41: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases PPARD Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of PPARD could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with PPARD targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 127A and B, FIGS. 127E and F). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase PPARD gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from PPARD targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several PPARD targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the PPARD gene using ASOs led to an increase in PPARD gene expression.

Example 42: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases HMBS Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of HMBS could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with HMBS targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 129A and B). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase HMBS gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from HMBS targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several HMBS targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the HMBS gene using ASOs led to an increase in HMBS gene expression.

Example 43: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases ALMS1 Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of ALMS1 could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with ALMS1 targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 131A and B). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase ALMS1 gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from ALMS1 targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several ALMS1 targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the ALMS1 gene using ASOs led to an increase in ALMS1 gene expression.

Example 44: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases ASL Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of ASL could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with ASL targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 132A and B, FIGS. 132C and D, FIGS. 132E and F). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase ASL gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from ASL targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several ASL targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the ASL gene using ASOs led to an increase in ASL gene expression.

Example 45: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases ATP7B Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of ATP7B could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with ATP7B targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 133B and C). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase ATP7B gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from ATP7B targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several ATP7B targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the ATP7B gene using ASOs led to an increase in ATP7B gene expression.

Example 46: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases HSD3B7 Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of HSD3B7 could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with HSD3B7 targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 135B and C, FIGS. 135E and F). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase HSD3B7 gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from HSD3B7 targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several HSD3B7 targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the HSD3B7 gene using ASOs led to an increase in HSD3B7 gene expression.

Example 47: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of a target gene could be achieved by improving intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA), or Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line (NIBIOHN, Japan), or SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line (ATCC) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in FIGS. 123-137 and Tables 10 and 11. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher) of the retained intron listed in Tables 10 and 11. Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates was plotted (FIG. 123B, FIG. 124D, FIG. 124H, FIG. 125B, FIG. 126B, FIG. 127F, FIG. 129B, FIG. 131B, FIG. 132B, FIG. 132D, FIG. 132F, FIG. 133C, FIC. 135C and FIG. 135F). Several ASOs were identified that increase the target gene expression, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data showing retention of the target intron (FIG. 123-137), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

Example 48: Identification of Intron Retention Events in Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by a gene described herein to identify intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of renal epithelial cells was isolated and cDNA libraries constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly) The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads were inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicates the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene (drawn to scale) was provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks can be matched to the exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, we identified introns that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of renal epithelial cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells (see Table 12 for percent intron retention (PIR) data for introns identified in genes described herein). This indicated that these introns were retained and that the intron-containing transcripts remain in the nucleus, and suggested that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they were not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 49: Identification of Intron Retention Events in Gene Transcripts by RNAseq Using Next Generation Sequencing for Retained Introns not Yet Identified

Whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing was carried out using next generation sequencing to reveal a snapshot of transcripts produced by a gene described herein to identify unknown intron-retention events. For this purpose, polyA+ RNA from nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of renal epithelial cells were isolated and cDNA libraries were constructed using Illumina's TruSeq Stranded mRNA library Prep Kit. The libraries were pair-end sequenced resulting in 100-nucleotide reads that were mapped to the human genome (February 2009, GRCh37/hg19 assembly) The mapped reads were visualized using the UCSC genome browser (operated by the UCSC Genome Informatics Group (Center for Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, Calif. 95064) and described by, e.g., Rosenbloom, et al., 2015, “The UCSC Genome Browser database: 2015 update,” Nucleic Acids Research 43, Database Issue, doi: 10.1093/nar/gku1177) and the coverage and number of reads can be inferred by the peak signals. The height of the peaks indicated the level of expression given by the density of the reads in a particular region. A schematic representation of the gene (drawn to scale) was provided by the UCSC genome browser (below the read signals) so that peaks could be matched to the gene exonic and intronic regions. Based on this display, retained introns were inferred as those that have high read density in the nuclear fraction of renal epithelial cells, but have very low to no reads in the cytoplasmic fraction of these cells. This indicated that the introns are retained and that the retained intron-containing transcripts remained in the nucleus, and suggests that these retained RIC pre-mRNAs are non-productive, as they are not exported out to the cytoplasm.

Example 50: Design of ASO-Walk Targeting a Retained Intron

An ASO walk was designed to target a retained intron using the method described herein. A region immediately downstream of the intron 5′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides +6 to +69 and a region immediately upstream of intron 3′ splice site, e.g., spanning nucleotides −16 to −79 of the intron was targeted with 2′-O-Me RNA, PS backbone, 18-mer ASOs shifted by 5-nucleotide intervals. Table 12 lists exemplary ASOs that were designed and their target sequences.

TABLE 12 Pre-mRNA (RNA Accession Retained Target Gene Gene Number) ASOs Intron (% Sequence SEQ ID NO. Symbol SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NOs. Retention) SEQ ID NO. PPARD 5467 PPARD: NM_006238 140024-140280 Intron 3 150740 SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO. 140009 140281-140523 Intron 4 150751 140005 140524-140776 Intron 5 150743 140777-140935 Intron 6 150747 140936-141626 Intron 7 150746 PPARD: NM_177435 141627-141883 Intron 3 150740 SEQ ID NO. 1400010 141884-142126 Intron 4 150751 142127-142378 Intron 5 150743 142379-142659 Intron 6 150741 PPARD: 142660-143350 Intron 8 150746 NM_001171818 143351-143607 Intron 4 150740 SEQ ID NO. 1400011 143608-143850 Intron 5 150751 143851-144102 Intron 6 150743 144103-144262 Intron 7 150747 NM_001171819 145263-144492 Intron 2 150739 SEQ ID NO. 1400012 144493-144735 Intron 3 150751 144736-144987 Intron 4 150743 144988-145147 Intron 5 150747 145148-145838 Intron 6 150746 PPARD: 145839-146105 Intron 3 150748 NM_001171820 146106-146265 Intron 4 150747 SEQ ID NO. 1400013 146266-146956 Intron 5 150746 PAX2 5076 PAX2: 146957-147177 Intron 2 150742 SEQ ID NO. NM_001304569 140006 SEQ ID NO. 1400014 PAX2: 147178-147467 Intron 1 150744 NM_000278 SEQ ID NO. 1400015 PAX2: 147468-147757 Intron 1 (N/A) 150744 NM_003990 SEQ ID NO. 1400016 PAX2: 147758-148047 Intron 1 150744 NM_003988 SEQ ID NO. 1400017 PAX2: 148048-148337 Intron 1 150744 NM_003987 SEQ ID NO. 1400018 PAX2: 148338-148627 Intron 1 150744 NM_003989 SEQ ID NO. 1400019 CTNS 1497 CTNS: 148628-148850 Intron 9 150752 SEQ ID NO. NM_004937 (10%) 140007 SEQ ID NO. 140020 148851-149075 Intron 10 150738 CTNS: 149076-149298 Intron 9 150752 NM_001031681 (10%) SEQ ID NO. 140021 149299-149523 Intron 10 150738 CYP24A1 1591 CYP24A1: 149524-149599 Intron 10 150750 SEQ ID NO. NM_000782 (23%) 140008 SEQ ID NO. 140022 149600-150072 Intron 11 150749 (50%) CYP24A1: 150073-150264 Intron 9 150745 NM_001128915 150265-150737 Intron 10 150749 SEQ ID NO. 140023

Example 51: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases CTNS Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of CTNS could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with CTNS targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 138B and C). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase CTNS gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from CTNS targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several CTNS targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the CTNS gene using ASOs led to an increase in CTNS gene expression.

Example 52: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases CYP24A1 Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of CYP24A1 could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with CYP24A1 targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 139B and C). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase CYP24A1 gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from CYP24A1 targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several CYP24A1 targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the CYP24A1 gene using ASOs led to an increase in CYP24A1 gene expression.

Example 53: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases PPARD Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of PPARD could be achieved by improving splicing efficiency of a retained intron using ASOs, the methods described herein were used. ARPE-19 cells were mock-transfected, or transfected with PPARD targeting ASOs, or a non-targeting ASO control, independently, using RNAiMAX (Invitrogen) delivery reagents. Experiments were performed using 80 nM ASOs for 24 hrs (FIGS. 141A and B, FIGS. 141E and F). Taqman qPCR results showed that several targeting ASOs increase PPARD gene transcript level compared to the mock-transfected. Ct values from PPARD targeting-ASO-transfected cells are normalized to RPL32 and plotted relative to the normalized qPCR product from mock-treated cells. Results of this analysis indicated that several PPARD targeting ASOs increase gene transcript levels. These results show that inducing splicing of a retained intron in the gene using ASOs leads to an increase in gene expression. Altogether, these results show that improving the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron in the PPARD gene using ASOs led to an increase in PPARD gene expression.

Example 54: Improved Splicing Efficiency Via ASO-Targeting of a Retained Intron Increases Transcript Levels

To determine whether an increase in expression of a target gene could be achieved by improving intron splicing efficiency with ASOs we used the method described herein. ARPE-19 cells, a human retinal epithelium cell line (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), USA), or Huh-7, a human hepatoma cell line (NIBIOHN, Japan), or SK-N-AS, a human neuroblastoma cell line (ATCC) were mock-transfected, or transfected with the targeting ASOs described in FIGS. 138-141 and Table 12. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine RNAiMax transfection reagent (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. Briefly, ASOs were plated in 96-well tissue culture plates and combined with RNAiMax diluted in Opti-MEM. Cells were detached using trypsin and resuspended in full medium, and approximately 25,000 cells were added the ASO-transfection mixture. Transfection experiments were carried out in triplicate plate replicates. Final ASO concentration was 80 nM. Media was changed 6h post-transfection, and cells harvested at 24h, using the Cells-to-Ct lysis reagent, supplemented with DNAse (Thermo Fisher), according to vendor's specifications. cDNA was generated with Cells-to-Ct RT reagents (Thermo Fisher) according to vendor's specifications. To quantify the amount of splicing at the intron of interest, quantitative PCR was carried out using Taqman assays with probes spanning the corresponding exon-exon junction (Thermo Fisher) of the retained intron listed in Table 12. Taqman assays were carried out according to vendor's specifications, on a QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-Time PCR system (Thermo Fisher). Target gene assay values were normalized to RPL32 (deltaCt) and plate-matched mock transfected samples (delta-delta Ct), generating fold-change over mock quantitation (2{circumflex over ( )}-(delta-deltaCt). Average fold-change over mock of the three plate replicates was plotted (FIG. 138C, FIG. 139C, FIG. 141B and FIG. 141F). Several ASOs were identified that increase the target gene expression, implying an increase in splicing at that target intron. Together with whole transcriptome data showing retention of the target intron (FIGS. 138-141), these results confirm that ASOs can improve the splicing efficiency of a rate limiting intron.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. 

1-164. (canceled)
 165. A method of increasing expression of a target protein by human cells having a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that encodes the target protein, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking 5′ splice site of the retained intron, and an exon flanking 3′ splice site of the retained intron, the method comprising contacting the human cells with an antisense oligomer (ASO) that binds to a targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, whereby the retained intron is constitutively spliced from the RIC pre-mRNA encoding the target protein, thereby increasing level of mRNA encoding the target protein, and increasing the expression of the target protein in the human cells, wherein the target protein is encoded by a gene selected from the group consisting of: ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA and STX1B.
 166. The method of claim 165, wherein the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is: (a) in the retained intron within a region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron; (b) a region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (c) a region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.
 167. The method of claim 165, wherein the target protein is encoded by a SHANK3 gene, and wherein the retained intron comprises a sequence with at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:
 30630. 168. The method of claim 165, wherein the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within a region +6 to +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, or in the retained intron within a region −16 to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.
 169. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO comprises a sequence that is complementary to at least 8 contiguous nucleotides of the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.
 170. The method of claim 165, wherein the target protein is encoded by a SHANK3 gene, and wherein the ASO comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29621-29808.
 171. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO increases amount of the target protein in the cells by at least about 1.1 fold.
 172. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO does not increase amount of the target protein in the cells by modulating alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcribed from a gene encoding the target protein.
 173. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO does not increase amount of the target protein in the cells by modulating aberrant splicing resulting from mutation of a gene encoding the target protein.
 174. The method of claim 165, wherein the cells are contacted with the ASO ex vivo.
 175. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.
 176. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety.
 177. The method of claim 165, wherein the ASO consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases.
 178. A pharmaceutical composition comprising: an antisense oligomer (ASO) or a viral vector encoding the ASO, wherein the antisense oligomer hybridizes to a targeted portion of a retained-intron-containing pre-mRNA (RIC pre-mRNA) that encodes a target protein, wherein the RIC pre-mRNA comprises a retained intron, an exon flanking 5′ splice site of the retained intron, and an exon flanking 3′ splice site of the retained intron, and wherein the antisense oligomer is configured to induce splicing out of the retained intron from the RIC pre-mRNA, wherein the target protein is encoded by a gene selected from the group consisting of: ATP1A2, CACNA1A, SETD5, SHANK3, NF2, DNMT1, TCF4, RAI1, PEX1, ARSA, EIF2B5, EIF2B1, EIF2B2, NPC1, ADAR, MFSD8, STXBP1, PRICKLE2, PRRT2, IDUA and STX1B.
 179. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is: (a) in the retained intron within a region +6 relative to the 5′ splice site to −16 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron; (b) a region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 5′ splice site of the retained intron; or (c) a region +2e to −4e in the exon flanking the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.
 180. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the ASO comprises a backbone modification comprising a phosphorothioate linkage or a phosphorodiamidate linkage.
 181. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the ASO comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino, a locked nucleic acid, a peptide nucleic acid, a 2′-O-methyl, a 2′-Fluoro, or a 2′-O-methoxyethyl moiety.
 182. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the ASO comprises a sequence that is complementary to at least 8 contiguous nucleotides of the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA.
 183. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the target protein is encoded by a SHANK3 gene, and wherein the ASO comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 29621-29808.
 184. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the target protein is encoded by a SHANK3 gene, and wherein the retained intron comprises a sequence with at least 90% sequence identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:
 30630. 185. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the targeted portion of the RIC pre-mRNA is in the retained intron within a region +6 to +500 relative to the 5′ splice site of the retained intron, or in the retained intron within a region −16 to −500 relative to the 3′ splice site of the retained intron.
 186. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 178, wherein the ASO consists of from 8 to 50 nucleobases. 